Oyo warns residents against false security alerts
By Adejayan Gbenga
The Oyo State Government has warned residents against spreading unverified security information, saying false reports could create panic and disrupt ongoing security operations across the state.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser on Security to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Abayomi Fagbenro, amid heightened tension following recent attacks on communities in Ogbomoso.
Fagbenro said the circulation of false security alerts could mislead security agencies and erode public confidence at a time authorities are intensifying efforts to rescue victims abducted during the attacks.
He urged residents to verify security-related information before sharing it, stressing that members of the public must act responsibly in reporting suspicious activities within their communities.
“The Office of the Special Adviser on Security wishes to draw the attention of the public to the need for responsible reporting of security-related concerns in line with the principle that citizens should see something and say something,” he said.
The security adviser also cautioned against what he described as “false negatives,” where genuine threats or suspicious activities are ignored or left unreported, warning that such actions could delay emergency response and expose communities to avoidable danger.
According to him, residents should remain vigilant and report only credible and reasonably confirmed information to relevant authorities, adding that security remains a collective responsibility requiring cooperation between citizens and security agencies.
The warning followed rumours circulated on Tuesday alleging that bandits had attacked the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, and forced the closure of the institution. Tension has remained high in the area since last Friday’s attack on three schools on the outskirts of the city, during which two teachers were reportedly killed and several pupils and teachers abducted.
