Osun Police dismiss alarming bandit attack claims, clarifying the viral rumour stemmed from a minor crash, not criminal activity

The Osun Police have dismissed widespread social media claims suggesting that bandits attacked commuters along the Osogbo–Iwo Road, after a viral flurry of posts triggered panic across the state late Wednesday.

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The alarm began when Facebook posts and circulating voice notes alleged that gunmen were sighted between Osuntedo and Idoo communities.

The messages spread rapidly despite offering no verifiable details, with many users admitting they merely repeated information purportedly heard from anonymous commuters.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the spokesperson for the Osun Police, Abiodun Ojelabi, strongly refuted the claims, insisting that no bandit or herdsmen attack occurred on the route.

He explained that the rumour stemmed from a misunderstanding linked to a minor road crash earlier in the day.

According to Ojelabi, a Toyota Sienna had struck the rear of a bungle bus near the Gbongan axis. The bus, travelling from Benin to Osogbo, continued its journey after the collision.

The Sienna driver, angered by the damage to his bumper and the bus’s refusal to stop, raised an alarm accusing the men in the bus of being kidnappers.

The false claim quickly escalated as a mob formed, ambushed the bus, and attacked its occupants in a dangerous attempt at jungle justice.

A local hunter intervened and courageously transported the injured men and their damaged vehicle to the Iwo Divisional Police Headquarters for safety.

The mob, however, trailed them to the station, prompting reinforcement from Osogbo to restore calm.

Ojelabi described the situation as a needless escalation caused by misinformation and condemned the spread of what he called destructive false alarms capable of endangering innocent lives.

He urged residents to verify information before sharing and warned firmly against jungle justice.

He reminded the public that any concerns should be reported directly to the police through approved emergency contacts, rather than relying on hearsay or social media rumours that can spark avoidable chaos.

The force also recalled a similar incident in September 2025 when the Osun Police had to debunk another viral claim of a bandit attack, clarifying that the reported incident actually occurred in Kwara State.

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The Command reiterated its commitment to public safety and appealed for calm, stressing that misinformation remains a dangerous force that can incite unnecessary fear.