Authorities disprove popular footage of 'outlaws in Ogun woodland

The Ogun State Police Command has vehemently denied the authenticity of a viral video circulating on social media, which purports to show armed bandits operating in a forest within the state, thereby posing a security threat to residents.

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In a statement released on Sunday, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, the Command's Public Relations Officer, clarified that the video did not originate from Ogun State or anywhere in Nigeria, but rather was "recycled footage" intentionally misrepresented to spark fear and panic among the public.

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Preliminary investigations and fact-checking by the police revealed that the footage, which depicts individuals cooking in a bush environment, was actually recorded in Kenya during an operation against cattle rustlers.

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The video was captured by a General Service Unit (GSU) drone and initially uploaded online in 2022, before being repurposed recently with a false narrative, according to the Command.

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State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, strongly condemned the dissemination of unverified content, warning that it could erode public confidence and create unnecessary alarm.

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Ojajuni asserted that the video currently in circulation is entirely false and does not reflect the security reality in Ogun State, emphasizing that there is no intelligence or operational report indicating the presence of armed bandits or similar criminal elements in the state's forests or any part of the state.

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The Commissioner reassured residents that the Command remains proactive in safeguarding lives and property through intelligence-driven policing, strategic deployments, and sustained surveillance operations.

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Ojajuni urged members of the public to disregard the video and refrain from sharing unverified information that could disrupt public peace, advising citizens to rely solely on official communication channels for accurate security updates.

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The police warned that the spread of false and inciting content will not be tolerated, emphasizing the importance of verifying information through official channels.

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The Command called on residents of the State to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies with credible, timely information, highlighting that community cooperation is vital to maintaining peace and order.

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Residents were encouraged to report any suspicious activities through the Command's emergency lines, as authorities intensify efforts to ensure continued safety across the state.