Police arrest pastor, one other person for raising false alarm on killing of six persons by gunmen in Oyo
THE police in Oyo State have arrested one Pastor Amos Muyiwa and one other person for allegedly creating tension in Lamini community in Ido Local Government Area of the state by raising a false alarm on the killing of six persons by the suspected bandits.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, in a statement on Monday, described the viral social media reports as unverified claims.
Ayanlade said: “Following a thorough assessment and on-the-ground verification, it was conclusively established that the purported bandit invasion and killing of six persons never occurred.”
He added that the ensuing intelligence-driven investigation, supported by forensic analysis, traced the incriminating voice note to Pastor Amos Joel Muyiwa, who was subsequently arrested.
“He then revealed that the false alarm originated from one Mulikat Bashiru, who had raised the unfounded claim within the community.”
The suspect, as contained in the statement, has admitted to authoring and circulating the voice note without verifying the authenticity of the information.
“Both suspects are currently cooperating with investigators as efforts continue to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and identify any other persons involved in the creation or propagation of the false narrative,”
The state Commissioner of Police, Olugbemiga Abimbola has directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Intelligence Department (SIG) to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the origin and dissemination of the false information.
“Such actions are capable of triggering panic, undermining public confidence, disrupting socio-economic activities, and diverting critical security resources away from genuine emergencies.
“Misinformation and disinformation do not merely mislead the public, they constitute a direct attack on our collective resolve to build a secure and peaceful society.”
