There was panic in parts of Osun State on Tuesday following unverified reports of suspected bandits allegedly sighted around Ila-Orangun and neighbouring communities, prompting some parents to withdraw their children from schools.
Residents of several towns, including Iree, Eripa, Iragbiji, Ikirun, Obaagun, Ada and Osogbo, said the reports sparked fear and confusion, leading many parents to rush to schools to pick up their children.
A resident of Ikirun, who spoke with AMILOADED, dismissed the reports of any security breach, saying there was no incident in the town.
According to her, “I don’t know why people are spreading rumour oooo, nothing happen here just that they stop student from going to school”
Another resident from Eripa said the situation had already disrupted academic activities in several neighbouring communities as parents hurriedly withdrew their children from school over safety concerns.
The resident noted that tension had spread across the area, with many families acting out of fear despite the absence of any official confirmation of bandit activity.
Reacting to the incident, Osun-Based Broadcast journalist, Williams Adetunji wrote, “The person who said there are bandits in Ila and Ikirun MUST be arrested and prosecuted for spreading fake news and creating panic in the hearts of parents. If anyone dies of HBO, the blood of the person will be on that useless fellow”
Videos obtained by AMILOADED showed students trooping out of school premises as parents and guardians arrived to take them home.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from security agencies confirming the presence of bandits in the affected communities.
More details later…..