Kogi Police Debunk Viral Claims of Imminent Bandit Attack in Kogi East
The Kogi State Police Command has dismissed viral social media reports alleging that bandits were preparing to attack communities in the eastern part of the state, describing the claims as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP William Aya, said the online reports (not from The PUNCH) were unverifiable and lacked any element of truth.
“The Kogi State Police Command is aware of the false reports circulating on social media about a possible bandit attack in Kogi East.
Such a report is unverifiable and does not constitute any elements of truth,” Aya stated.
Following the viral claims, the Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Kankarofi, ordered the deployment of multiple tactical units, including the Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit, Quick Response Teams, and intelligence operatives, to strategic locations across the state.
According to the police, extra security assets have also been mobilised to strengthen surveillance and respond to any unforeseen situations.
CP Kankarofi appealed to residents to remain calm and rely only on official communication channels for security updates.
“We urge the public to verify information through official sources before sharing. False claims can cause unnecessary panic,” he said.
He emphasised that security is a collective responsibility and encouraged citizens to promptly report any suspicious activity to the police.
The rumour of large bandit movements had been circulating since early Monday, prompting journalists to seek clarification from security agencies until the police eventually debunked the claims.
