The Kwara State Government has debunked a viral claim alleging that weapons were withdrawn from vigilantes and forest guards just hours before armed bandits launched a deadly assault on Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area, on Sunday.
At least 12 people were killed and several others abducted during the attack.
Reacting in Ilorin on Tuesday, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, dismissed the allegation as false, stressing that the Department of State Services (DSS) never retrieved weapons from the local security operatives prior to the incident.
“The leadership of the forest guards has denied the claim, while the DSS has expressed strong concerns about such demoralizing and false allegations circulating in the viral video,” Ajakaye said.
While commiserating with families of victims, the governor’s spokesman urged the public to remain calm and united in the face of the tragedy.
“We will come out of this stronger and safer. Let us not turn against ourselves—that would only lead us to destruction,” he added.
Ajakaye also confirmed that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) carried out airstrikes on Monday night, targeting bandits’ hideouts along the Kwara-Kogi border, killing a significant number of the criminals.
According to him, the NAF statement—issued by its spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame—was released on the force’s official WhatsApp platform at about 1:54 p.m. on Monday.
“What does the government stand to gain by claiming there was an operation if there was none?” Ajakaye asked, dismissing doubts about the authenticity of the air raid.
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