By Ayodele Oni
Kwara State Police Command has reacted to rumour of invasion of bandits in Ilorin, the State capital, which led to a break down of commercial activities.
A wave of fear, confusion and panic swept across parts of Ilorin and its surrounding communities on Thursday, following widespread, but unconfirmed reports that bandits had infiltrated the town and were targeting school children for abduction.
The State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, condemned the spread of false security alerts, capable of causing public panic and disorder, warning that individuals responsible for circulating unverified information would be identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The rumour, which spread rapidly through phone calls, social media messages and word-of-mouth communication, triggered a mass exodus of parents from homes, offices, markets and business premises as they rushed to schools to retrieve their children.
The situation created scenes of anxiety rarely witnessed in the town. Distraught parents flooded school premises, while children were seen crying and clinging to teachers amid uncertainty over what was happening.
In several schools, academic activities were abruptly suspended as administrators struggled to manage the growing tension.
Teachers reportedly spent hours calling parents and guardians, urging them to come for their wards as fears of a possible security threat intensified.
Some schools released pupils earlier than scheduled, while others completely shut down activities for the day.
Roads leading to major schools witnessed unusual traffic congestion as hundreds of vehicles and motorcycles converged on educational institutions.
“We cannot take chances with the lives of our children. Whether the report is true or false, every parent’s first instinct is to protect their child,” a visibly worried mother said while waiting to pick up her daughter.
Another parent lamented the state of insecurity across the country, saying the mere circulation of such a rumour was enough to send shockwaves through communities.
“The painful reality is that insecurity has become a national concern. When people hear stories about bandits or kidnappers, they immediately believe it because such incidents have happened in many parts of the state. That is why everyone panicked,” he said.
Parents interviewed by our correspondent expressed fears that children may become reluctant to attend school if such incidents continue to occur.
Some also worried about the academic consequences of repeated disruptions to learning.
“If children stay at home today because of fear, what happens if another rumour emerges tomorrow? Are schools expected to close again? For how long can learning continue under such uncertainty?” one concerned guardian asked.
Stakeholders are urging the Kwara State Government, security agencies, community leaders and school authorities to intensify public sensitisation campaigns, establish emergency communication systems and reassure residents of the safety of educational institutions.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Police Command has dismissed the reports as false.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the Command received reports of panic around Government Girls Secondary School, Oke-Oyi, following claims that suspected bandits had invaded the area.
According to the police, officers were immediately deployed to assess the situation and ensure the safety of students, staff and residents.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the alarm originated from a woman who reportedly rushed into the school claiming that bandits had arrived in the community.
The police stated that their assessment confirmed there was no bandit attack, no sighting of bandits and no security breach within the school, Oke-Oyi community or any part of Kwara State.
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