By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State Police Command has dismissed claims circulating on social media regarding the arrest of suspected bandits in parts of the state, describing the reports as misleading and capable of creating unnecessary panic among residents.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the command clarified the circumstances surrounding two separate incidents that recently generated public concern in Osogbo and Imesi-Ile.
According to the police, one of the incidents involved a man apprehended by members of the public along the Lameco–Oke-Fia Road in Osogbo on June 3, 2026, over allegations that he was a suspected bandit.
The suspect was immediately taken to the Osogbo Area Command for investigation, where officers recovered a knife, an army camouflage trouser, local charms and other personal belongings from him.
The command disclosed that during interrogation, the suspect displayed signs of mental instability, prompting the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a more detailed investigation.
Police investigations later identified the suspect as 38-year-old Adebayo Sunday. Members of his family subsequently visited the police and confirmed his identity.
The police further revealed that detectives contacted a native doctor who claimed to have treated the suspect for a mental-related condition more than a decade ago.
Following preliminary medical examination at the Police Clinic, the suspect was referred to a psychiatric hospital for comprehensive evaluation and treatment.
The command also addressed another viral video alleging that suspected bandits had been arrested in Imesi-Ile, stating that investigations showed the matter was unrelated to banditry
.
According to the police, officers swiftly responded to the incident and arrested the individuals involved for questioning before transferring the case to the SCID on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan.
The investigation reportedly established that the matter stemmed from a dispute involving alleged malicious damage to farmland.
The suspects were identified as Abdullahi Umaru, Usman Bello and Umaru Aliyu, all cattle rearers residing in Imesi-Ile with their families and livestock
As part of the investigation, police interviewed community leaders, including the village head, who confirmed that the cattle rearers had lived peacefully in the community for more than 20 years.
The owners of the cattle were also questioned, while findings indicated that a prima facie case of malicious damage existed.
However, the complainants, identified as Fatorisa Olawale and Adeniyi Adeoye, later informed the police of their decision to settle the dispute amicably and subsequently withdrew their complaint.
Reacting to the circulation of the videos, Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan urged members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information capable of causing fear, tension or misinformation.
He encouraged residents to verify security-related information through official channels and report suspicious activities promptly to law enforcement agencies.
The police commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state, assuring residents that all security concerns would continue to receive prompt and professional attention.
