Osun police debunk herdsmen/bandits attack along Osogbo–Iwo road

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

The Osun State Police Command has debunked viral social media posts alleging an attack by suspected herdsmen and bandits along the Osogbo–Iwo road on Tuesday, describing the claims as entirely false.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, emphasised that there was no herdsmen attack or criminal assault on the road as widely circulated online.

Giving an account of the incident, Ojelabi said that at about 12:30 p.m. on 18 November, a Toyota Sienna collided with the rear of a bus with registration number EPE 449 YLY around the Gbongan axis. The bus, travelling from Benin, Edo State, to Osogbo and occupied by two brothers serving as driver and co-driver, continued its journey after the collision, believing their vehicle was unaffected.

However, the Toyota Sienna driver, aggrieved by the refusal of the bus to stop and noticing visible damage to the bumper of his vehicle, raised an alarm and mobilised people along the road, accusing the two brothers of being kidnappers and thieves.

The alarm triggered an angry mob, which pursued, blocked, and attacked the two men, vandalising their vehicle and attempting to lynch them.

The PPRO said a local hunter from Gaa Saidu Ikofin in Ola-Oluwa LGA intervened and rescued the victims, taking them and their damaged vehicle to the Iwo Divisional Police Headquarters. However, the mob trailed them to the station, heightening tension until the Divisional Police Officer called for reinforcements from Osogbo to restore order.

He added that the victims are now safe and in protective custody, while efforts are underway to identify and arrest those involved in the vandalism and attempted jungle justice.

The command, however, condemned the raising of false alarms and the spread of unverified information capable of causing panic and endangering innocent lives.

It urged the public to verify facts before taking action or sharing rumours and warned citizens against engaging in jungle justice, reiterating that the command remains committed to the protection of lives and property of all residents.