Police Deny Viral Video Alleging Movement Of Lukarawa Terrorists In Oyo

The Oyo State Police Command has dismissed a viral video claiming that about 300 Lukarawa terrorists were moving into the state, describing the footage as false, misleading and deliberately designed to cause panic among residents.

The Command said the claim was debunked following a comprehensive forensic analysis and intelligence-based verification carried out by security operatives in collaboration with neighbouring commands.

Speaking on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said findings confirmed that the video did not reflect any current or credible security threat within Oyo State.

He explained that the voice overlay in the circulating video, allegedly attributed to one Alhaji Muftau from Kontagora, matched previously investigated and discredited information that had earlier been ruled as false by the Command.

According to him, further intelligence gathered from operatives deployed across border communities, alongside the Command’s early warning and response mechanisms, showed no evidence supporting the claims made in the video.

“In addition to these findings, a joint verification process maintained in collaboration with neighbouring Police Commands independently confirmed that the information is entirely unfounded,” Olayinka said.

He added that investigations also revealed the video in circulation was neither recorded in Nigeria nor recent, further confirming that it was intended to mislead the public and incite fear.

The police spokesman warned individuals and groups against the spread of misinformation, stressing that such actions could undermine public peace and security in the state.

“Anyone found disseminating false information intended to incite panic or disrupt public order will be investigated and made to face the full weight of the law,” he said.

He reaffirmed that the Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, remains committed to safeguarding lives and property across Oyo State.

Olayinka added that the police will continue to deploy lawful measures to protect security gains recorded in recent times and ensure that anyone seeking to destabilise public peace is arrested and prosecuted.

He urged residents to rely only on verified official sources for security information and to remain calm and law-abiding.