Viral Video of 300 Terrorists Entering Oyo is False – Police

Armed bandits. Credit: Vanguard.

The Oyo State Police Command has dismissed a viral video alleging the movement of about 300 Lukarawa terrorists into the state, describing it as false and misleading.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, said a “comprehensive forensic analysis and intelligence-based verification” confirmed that the video was not genuine and contained fabricated content intended to mislead the public.

“The viral video alleging the movement of about 300 Lukarawa terrorists into Oyo State is false, misleading, and deliberately crafted to cause fear, panic, and heightened tension among members of the public,” the statement read.

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According to the police, a forensic review showed that the voice overlay in the video, attributed to one Alhaji Muftau from Kontagora, matched earlier false information that had already been investigated and debunked by police operatives.

Olayinka said intelligence gathered from operatives in border communities, alongside its early warning systems, found no evidence of terrorist movement into Oyo State.


He further noted that a joint verification process with neighbouring police commands also confirmed that the claims were unfounded.

“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 added.

The police also said that the video was neither recorded in Nigeria nor recent, adding that it was deliberately circulated to mislead the public.

“Investigations also established that the video currently in circulation was neither recorded in Nigeria nor is it a recent occurrence,” the statement added.

The command warned against the spread of misinformation, saying perpetrators would be prosecuted, and added that anyone found responsible for spreading false information intended to cause panic would face the full weight of the law.

The police reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining security in the state and urged residents to rely only on verified official channels for information.

Author

  • Olayide Oluwafunmilayo Soaga is a Nigerian journalist with four years of professional experience. She reports on health, gender, education and development, with a focus on impact-driven storytelling.

    She was runner-up for the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) Best Solutions Journalism Award in West Africa in 2024 and a finalist for the 2025 West Africa Media Excellence Awards.

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