No bandits in Osun, Police dismiss social media videos

THE Osun State Police Command has dismissed claims circulating on social media that suspected bandits were recently arrested in parts of the state.

The command stated that investigations found no evidence linking the incidents to banditry.

In a statement by the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, and issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on Monday, the command said it was compelled to address the misleading videos that had generated public concern.

According to the statement, 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, after he was suspected of being a bandit.

The police said the suspect was immediately taken to the Osogbo Area Command for investigation, where officers recovered items including a knife, an army camouflage trouser, local charms, and clothing materials.

“During the course of the investigation, the suspect exhibited signs of mental instability. Consequently, the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a more thorough and discreet investigation,” the statement said.

Further inquiries established the identity of the suspect as Adebayo Sunday, 38. Members of his family later visited investigators and confirmed his identity, the police said.

The command added that detectives contacted a native doctor who revealed that he had treated the suspect for a mental health condition more than a decade ago.

The suspect was subsequently referred from the Police Clinic to a psychiatric hospital for further medical evaluation and treatment.

The police also addressed another viral video which alleged that suspected bandits had been arrested in Imesi-Ile on the same date.

Following the circulation of the footage, the Divisional Police Officer in the area arrested the individuals concerned and commenced investigations.

Acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, the matter was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, where investigators determined that the case was unrelated to banditry.

The suspects were identified as Abdullahi Umaru, Usman Bello, and Umaru Aliyu, all cattle rearers residing in Imesi-Ile with their families and livestock. Investigators interviewed community leaders and cattle owners as part of the inquiry.

According to the police, “The village head confirmed that the cattle rearers and their families had lived peacefully within the community for more than 20 years. The investigation eventually established a prima facie case of malicious damage involving farmland rather than any criminal activity linked to banditry.”

The statement noted that the complainants, Fatorisa Olawale and Adeniyi Adeoye, later informed the police of their decision to resolve the matter amicably and withdrew their complaint.

CP Ibrahim Gotan, who urged residents to avoid spreading unverified information capable of creating panic, added that citizens should verify reports through official channels and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.