38 Ivorians arrested in Ogun not bandits, police clarify

File Copy: Ogun State Police Command, Public Relations Officer, Babaseyi Oluseyi

The Ogun State Police Command has debunked reports of bandit attacks and invasions of communities and schools in parts of the state, clarifying that the recent arrest of 38 Ivorians in Atan-Ota was unrelated to banditry or terrorism. The command’s public relations officer, Babaseyi Oluseyi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday. The command said the state remained safe, calm and secure, contrary to claims circulating on social media alleging attacks on schools and communities in Ota, Ifo and other adjoining areas. According to Oluseyi, there had been no bandit attack, kidnapping incident, terrorist activity or any form of security breach in Oluke Community High School, Sango Ota High School in the Ijoko axis, Fadunsin area of Ijoko, Atan-Ota, Sango-Ota, Agbado, Ifo and neighbouring communities. He explained that following the circulation of the reports, operatives were deployed to the affected locations to verify the claims and reassure residents. The command added that its School Protection Squad, alongside divisional police officers in the affected areas, conducted security assessments of the schools mentioned in the reports. “The exercise confirmed that all schools were safe, secure and fully operational. School activities continued peacefully and without interruption throughout the day, with students and staff completing a successful academic day before normal closure,” the statement read. He expressed concern over the tension generated by the spread of what he described as unverified security information, assuring residents that there was no cause for alarm. Oluseyi noted that findings from assessments conducted across the affected communities showed that commercial, academic and social activities were progressing normally without any threat to lives or property. He further clarified that the operation carried out in Kajola-Ilese, Atan-Ota, which had been linked by some social media users to banditry, involved the arrest of 38 foreign nationals from Côte d’Ivoire. According to him, the suspects, comprising 19 males and 19 females aged between 25 and 35 years, were reportedly found in an apartment during an intelligence-led operation. Related News Police arrest suspect behind AI-generated Tinubu voice note Police debunk release of abducted Oyo school children, teachers Police hunt gunmen after raid on Oyo immigration office He noted that the individuals could not produce valid immigration or travel documents during preliminary screening. Oluseyi added, “The su