The Oyo State Police Command has dismissed as false a viral video claiming that about 300 suspected Lakurawa terrorists had entered the state, insisting that intelligence reports and forensic investigations found no evidence to support the allegation.
The command said the video, which circulated widely on social media over the weekend, was deliberately designed to spread fear and heighten tension among residents already concerned about security challenges across parts of the country.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the command said a detailed forensic review and intelligence-based verification showed that the claim was entirely unfounded.
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According to the police, investigators traced the voice overlay attached to the video and discovered similarities with previous false security alerts that had already been investigated and debunked by security agencies.
The command said security operatives deployed across border communities and other sensitive locations had not reported any movement or infiltration matching the claims contained in the video.
Police authorities also disclosed that a joint verification exercise conducted with neighbouring commands produced the same conclusion, with no intelligence indicating the presence of the terrorist group within Oyo State.
Investigators further established that the footage being circulated online was neither recent nor recorded in Nigeria, reinforcing suspicions that it was being recycled to create unnecessary panic.
The clarification comes against the backdrop of heightened public concern over insecurity following recent criminal incidents in parts of Oyo State, including kidnappings and attacks in communities around the Ogbomoso axis and the Old Oyo National Park corridor.
Earlier this month, the Oyo Police Command similarly debunked reports alleging that suspected Lakurawa terrorists had infiltrated forests around Ogbomoso and the Old Oyo National Park. The command said intelligence assessments at the time showed no evidence of terrorist presence in the affected areas and subsequently deployed additional operatives to strengthen surveillance and early-warning mechanisms.
Despite dismissing the latest claims, the police said they remain vigilant and have continued to work closely with local security structures, traditional institutions, hunters, vigilante groups and community intelligence networks to monitor potential threats.
The command warned individuals and groups against spreading unverified security information capable of undermining public peace and confidence.
It stressed that anyone found deliberately disseminating false information intended to incite panic or disrupt public order could face investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law.
Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Olugbenga, was also quoted as reaffirming the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state through intelligence-led policing and proactive security operations.
Residents were advised to remain calm, continue their lawful activities, and rely only on verified information released through official security channels.
The police urged members of the public to report suspicious movements and security concerns through designated emergency lines rather than relying on social media rumours, noting that misinformation can hamper security operations and create avoidable anxiety within communities.
