Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Ogun State Police Command has dismissed a viral video circulating on social media that allegedly shows armed bandits operating in a forest within the state, describing the footage as “false, misleading, and recycled.” The police clarified that the video does not originate from anywhere in Nigeria and urged the public to disregard the content, which was deliberately repurposed to incite fear and panic among residents.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, said that preliminary findings and credible fact-checks had revealed that the footage was actually recorded in Kenya during a security operation targeting cattle rustlers. “The video is false, misleading, and does not originate from Ogun State or any part of Nigeria,” the police spokesperson stated unequivocally. According to the command, the footage showed individuals cooking in a bush setting and was captured by a drone operated by the Kenyan General Service Unit. Further investigations indicated that the video was first uploaded online in 2022 and has since been deliberately recirculated with a false narrative to create panic and misinform the public about the security situation in Ogun State.
The viral video, which had been shared widely across social media platforms, featured armed men allegedly operating within a forest accompanied by a voice-over warning residents to be cautious. The narrator in the footage claimed: “We are trying to show you some video footage of the hideout of kidnappers here in Ogun State. We were able to capture this with our drone cameras, so people should be mindful of their movement henceforth.” The voice added, “Yes, this is a hideout, can you see that? A lot of people are being detained by their captors. They are trying to aim at the drone camera, but it’s not easy because, as you can see, the drone doesn’t stay stable. But thank God for this discovery; people should be very careful and mindful of their movements.”
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, strongly condemned the spread of unverified and deceptive content, noting that it is capable of causing unnecessary fear and undermining public confidence in security agencies.
Ojajuni emphasised that there is no intelligence or operational report to support the claim of any criminal presence within forests or any part of Ogun State. “There is no intelligence or operational report indicating the presence of armed bandits or any such criminal elements in our forests or any part of the state,” the police chief reiterated. He reassured residents that the command remains proactive and committed to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property through intelligence-led policing, strategic deployments, and sustained operational vigilance across the state.
The police further urged members of the public to disregard the viral video and its accompanying false claims, and to refrain from sharing unverified information capable of inciting panic or disrupting public peace. “Members of the public are advised to disregard the viral video and its accompanying false claims, and to refrain from sharing unverified information capable of inciting panic or disrupting public peace,” the statement read.
The command also warned that the spread of false information and inciting content would not be tolerated, and advised citizens to rely solely on official communication channels for accurate security updates. Residents were also encouraged to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information. The Ogun State Police Command provided emergency lines for residents to report suspicious activities: Gateway Shield (Toll-Free): 0800 000 9111; Emergency Lines: 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369, 0708 497 2994.
The clarification by the police comes amid heightened concerns about insecurity in various parts of the country, with the 2027 general elections approaching. While Ogun State has not been immune to security challenges, the police have repeatedly assured residents of their commitment to maintaining peace and order. The incident also highlights the dangers of misinformation and the importance of fact-checking before sharing content online. As DSP Babaseyi noted, the video was first uploaded in 2022 and was only recently recirculated to create a false sense of alarm. Residents are advised to remain calm and rely on official sources for security updates.
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