by 300 Lakurawa Terrorists — Oyo Police Dismiss Viral Video Claiming Invasion

The Oyo State Police Command has thoroughly investigated and debunked a widely circulated video that falsely alleged the presence of about 300 Lakurawa terrorists in the state. In a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, on Sunday, the Command described the video as misleading and designed to instill fear and panic among residents. Following a comprehensive forensic analysis and intelligence-based verification, the police confirmed that the claims in the video were untrue. The forensic review revealed that the voice overlay attributed to Alhaji Muftau from Kontagora matched earlier false information that had been investigated and debunked by the Command. Furthermore, intelligence gathered from operatives across border communities, supported by early warning and response mechanisms, found no evidence to support the claim. A joint verification with neighbouring police formations also confirmed that the information was entirely unfounded. The Command warned that the video was neither recorded in Nigeria nor a recent occurrence, further reinforcing the conclusion that the content was designed to mislead the public. This development comes weeks after terrorists attacked three schools in the state, kidnapping over 40 teachers and students, and sparking concerns about terrorist expansion. The police warned individuals and groups against spreading misinformation that could undermine public peace and security, stating that offenders would face the law. The Command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and security across the state under the leadership of Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Olugbenga, and advised the public to rely only on verified official channels for security information and to remain calm and law-abiding.