The Kogi State Police Command in north central Nigeria has rejected viral social media reports alleging that armed bandits had stormed Zango, Crusher and Felele communities, all located within Lokoja, the state capital. The command emphasised that the circulating claims were baseless and intentionally crafted to create fear among residents.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, William Aya, issued a formal statement on Thursday explaining that security assessments conducted across the affected communities showed no evidence of any infiltration by criminal gangs. According to him, the allegations trending across various online platforms were nothing more than fabricated content designed to unsettle the public.
Aya stated that “the Commissioner of Police, Commissioner of Police Naziru Bello Kankarofi, has warned those peddling rumours of bandit invasion to desist from spreading false alarms, causing unnecessary fears and panic among the good people of the state.” He warned that the command would no longer tolerate the intentional spread of misleading information capable of heightening anxiety.
The spokesperson emphasised that “anyone found guilty of spreading false alarms will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.” He further explained that misinformation of this scale has the potential to disrupt social harmony, especially in a state that has invested heavily in reinforcing security structures.
Okay News reports that security agencies in Kogi State, including the Police Mobile Force and the Counter Terrorism Unit of the Nigeria Police Force, have continued to deploy personnel to strategic areas to reassure residents of their safety. These deployments, according to the command, are part of sustained efforts to fortify the state against criminal activities and to prevent unnecessary panic.
Aya added that residents have been advised to continue their daily routines without fear while remaining vigilant. He urged community members to promptly report any suspicious movements to law enforcement agencies, stressing that “security is a shared responsibility, and everyone is asked to work together to keep the state safe.”
The command also recalled that similar unverified reports of planned bandit attacks had circulated earlier in the week, including rumours suggesting heavy bandit movement toward schools and worship centres in the eastern flank of the state. Authorities dismissed those claims as well, labelling them unverifiable and lacking any trace of factual basis.
