Ogun Police Confirm 38 Ivorians Arrested Not Bandits

The Ogun State Police Command issued a statement on Tuesday clarifying that the 38 Ivorians arrested in Atan Ota were not linked to banditry or terrorist activities. The arrests followed intelligence-led operations, revealing that the suspects, comprising 19 males and 19 females aged between 25 and 35, did not possess valid immigration or travel documents.

During preliminary screenings, the suspects claimed they entered Nigeria for online business activities. The police emphasized that there were no incidents of bandit attacks or kidnappings in the area, contrary to social media claims.

Babaseyi Oluseyi, the command's public relations officer, reassured residents that schools in the vicinity remained safe and operational. The police also warned against the spread of unverified security information that could incite panic.

The clarification comes amid heightened security concerns in the southwest region following recent abductions in Oyo State.