Police debunk viral video alleging armed bandits in Ogun forest

The Ogun State Police Command has dismissed a viral video circulating on social media that allegedly shows armed men operating within a forest in the state, describing the content as false, misleading and recycled.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said preliminary investigations and fact-checks revealed that the footage did not originate from Ogun State or anywhere in Nigeria.

According to the police, the video, which shows individuals cooking in a bush setting, was recorded in Kenya during an operation involving cattle rustlers and was captured by a General Service Unit (GSU) drone.

The command added that further verification showed the footage was first uploaded online in 2022 and is now being recirculated with a false narrative to create panic about the security situation in Ogun State.

The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, condemned the spread of unverified and deceptive content, warning that such misinformation could trigger unnecessary fear and undermine public confidence in security agencies.

He said there was no intelligence or operational report to support claims of armed bandits operating in forests or any part of the state.The police chief reassured residents that the command remains proactive in safeguarding lives and property through intelligence-led policing, strategic deployments and sustained operational activities across Ogun.

He urged members of the public to disregard the video and refrain from sharing unverified information capable of inciting panic or disrupting public peace.Residents were also advised to rely on official communication channels for credible security updates and to support law enforcement agencies with timely and accurate information.

The command further warned that the dissemination of false information and inciting content would not be tolerated.

Citizens were encouraged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through designated emergency lines provided by the police.