IBADAN / LAGOS — Nigerian police have launched a series of high-profile arrests in Oyo and Lagos states following a surge of unfounded social media reports alleging bandit invasions, which have caused widespread panic and, in one tragic instance, led to a fatal case of mob violence.
Oyo State: Pastor and Accomplice Arrested for False Alarm
In Oyo State, the Police Command has arrested two individuals, including a clergyman, for circulating a viral WhatsApp voice note that claimed bandits had invaded Lamini community in the Ido Local Government Area and killed six people.
The Suspects: The police identified the individuals as Pastor Amos Joel Muyiwa and Mulikat Bashiru.
The Investigation: Upon receiving the alarming report, the Command deployed tactical teams to the community. They conclusively established that the invasion and the alleged killings were entirely fictitious.
Police Stance: The Oyo State Police spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, stated that forensic analysis traced the recording to Pastor Muyiwa, who confessed to sharing the information without verifying its authenticity. Mulikat Bashiru was identified as the originator of the false claim.
Lagos State: 15 Arrested After Mob Lynchings
In a more lethal development, the Lagos State Police Command arrested 15 people following the death of a 24-year-old commercial motorcycle rider, Kulaha Ayuba.
Tragic Consequences: Acting on unverified social media posts that falsely claimed armed bandits had invaded nearby communities, an irate mob mistakenly identified the rider as one of the attackers. He was brutally assaulted and killed, and his motorcycle was stolen.
Official Denial: Lagos Police spokesperson Abimbola Adebisi categorically refuted the invasion claims, stating, "There is no security crisis, coordinated attack, or invasion of any community or school in Lagos State."
Warning: The command warned that recirculating outdated or false content to create panic is a criminal offense and vowed to prosecute those responsible for inciting public disorder and ethnic profiling.
A Growing Threat to Public Safety
Both police commands have issued stern warnings regarding the "deliberate spread of false information," describing it as a serious threat to national security. Authorities emphasized that these fake narratives:
Divert critical resources: Security teams are pulled away from genuine emergencies to investigate unfounded rumors.
Erode public confidence: Panic disrupts socio-economic activities and creates an environment where criminal elements can operate more easily.
Result in violence: As seen in Lagos, misinformation can lead directly to extrajudicial killings and mob justice.
The police have urged all residents to verify security-related information through credible and official sources before sharing it on social media platforms.
