Ilorin in panic amid rumors of a bandit attack

By Demola Akinyemi

ILORIN — On Thursday, Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, was thrown into a state of alarm after rumours spread that bandits were planning an attack on the city. The unfounded reports prompted hundreds of parents and guardians to rush to schools to retrieve their children.

The panic quickly spread throughout the city, creating anxiety among residents, especially around public and private schools. Unverified claims that bandits had entered the historic city circulated widely.

In response, forest guards and other security personnel were positioned at key points across Ilorin to prevent any security breach and reassure the public.

Visits to several schools—including ECWA Secondary School, United Secondary School, Sheikh Abdulsalam School, and Methodist Secondary School in the Taiwo-Isale area—revealed large crowds of parents scrambling to collect their children.

Similar scenes unfolded in the Lanjorin area, where parents gathered at schools such as Cherubim and Seraphim Secondary School, His Grace School, St. Barnabas School, and Mercy T Secondary School.

Meanwhile, Kwara State Commissioner of Police Mr. Ojo Adekimi condemned the spread of false security alerts that can cause fear, panic, and public disorder.

He warned that circulating unverified information, particularly about security matters, erodes public confidence and can divert security resources from genuine emergencies.

“The command has commenced efforts to identify the individual responsible for raising the false alarm,” Adekimi said.

“The person, upon identification, will be invited for questioning and made to face the full weight of the law in accordance with extant legal provisions relating to the spread of false information and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.”

The police commissioner urged residents to remain calm, stay vigilant, and refrain from spreading rumours or unverified security information.

He advised the public to verify security-related information through appropriate channels and to report suspicious activities promptly to the nearest police station or security agency.

Adekimi assured residents that adequate security measures remain in place across the state.

“The Kwara State Police Command remains committed to safeguarding lives and property and assures residents that all necessary security measures are in place to guarantee their safety,” he said.

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