The Ogun State Police Command has dismissed as false a viral video alleging the presence of armed bandits operating in a forest within the state, clarifying that the footage originated from Kenya and not Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the video—widely circulated on social media—was “misleading and deliberately recycled” to create panic among residents.
The command stated that preliminary investigations and fact-checking confirmed that the footage was recorded outside Nigeria.
“The Ogun State Police Command wishes to categorically refute a viral video purportedly showing armed men operating within a forest in Ogun State. The video is false, misleading, and does not originate from Ogun State or any part of Nigeria,” the statement read.
According to the police, the clip was traced to an operation in Kenya involving cattle rustlers and was captured by a drone operated by the country’s General Service Unit.
The command further revealed that the video was not recent, noting that it first surfaced online in 2022 before being re-circulated with a false narrative suggesting insecurity in Ogun forests.
Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, condemned the spread of unverified content, warning that such misinformation could heighten fear and erode public trust in security agencies.
He assured residents that there was no intelligence report indicating the presence of bandits in any forest or part of the state.
“There is no operational or intelligence-based evidence to support the claims made in the video,” the statement added.
Ojajuni reiterated the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property through intelligence-led policing and sustained security operations across Ogun State.
The police urged residents to disregard the viral video and avoid sharing unverified information, advising the public to rely on official channels for credible security updates.
Citizens were also encouraged to report suspicious activities through designated emergency lines, as part of efforts to strengthen community policing and enhance security vigilance in the state.
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