Pastor, one other arrested over false bandits’ attack claim in Oyo community

By Ayorinde Oluokun

Operative of Oyo Police Command have arrested two suspects identified as Pastor Amos Joel Muyiwa Mulikat Bashiru over alleged deliberate spread of false information alleging that bandits’ invasion and killing of six people in Lamini Community, Ido Local Government Area of the state.

Oyo police command spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka in a statement on Monday said the two suspects were arrested after the attention of police was drawn to a voice note on various WhatsApp platforms and other social media channels claiming that armed bandits had attacked Lamini Community and killed six residents.

“The publication generated fear, panic, and apprehension among residents and other members of the public, while creating unnecessary tension within and around the affected area,” Olayinka said

He added that based on the information patrol and tactical teams were deployed to Lamini Community and its environs to verify the claim, reassure residents, and douse the palpable tension generated by the alarming report.

But he said a thorough assessment and on-the-ground verification revealed that contrary to the claim in the voice note, there was no incident of bandits’ invasion and killing of six people in the community.

Olayinka said based on the finding, the state Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Intelligence Department (SID) to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the origin and dissemination of the false information.

The investigation led to the arrest of Pastor Amos Joel Muyiwa, who, according to the spokesperson, admitted to authoring and circulating the voice note without verifying the authenticity of the information.

He said further investigations revealed that the false alarm originated from Mulikat Bashiru who was also traced and arrested.

“Both suspects are currently cooperating with investigators as efforts continue to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and identify any other persons involved in the creation or propagation of the false narrative,” Olayinka said.

He also warned in the statement that deliberate spread of false information, fake news, misinformation, and disinformation as a serious threat to public order, national security, and peaceful coexistence. Such actions are capable of triggering panic, undermining public confidence, disrupting socio-economic activities, and diverting critical security resources away from genuine emergencies.

“Misinformation and disinformation do not merely mislead the public; they constitute a direct attack on our collective resolve to build a secure and peaceful society. At a time when security agencies, community leaders, and law-abiding citizens are working collaboratively to sustain the prevailing security gains across Oyo State, the deliberate circulation of false narratives serves only to create unnecessary fear, weaken public trust, and create opportunities for criminal elements to exploit public anxiety and confusion.

“The Command therefore urges residents to exercise restraint, responsibility, and vigilance in the use of social media and other communication platforms. Members of the public are advised to verify information through credible and official sources before sharing same, as individuals found deliberately originating or disseminating false information capable of causing public disorder will be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with extant laws.”