The Ogun State Police Command has moved to reassure residents of Ajebo community in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area after a viral social media video alleged that herdsmen were preparing to attack the area.

In a statement issued on Friday by CSP Omolola Odutola, Police Public Relations Officer, the Command dismissed fears of an imminent threat and urged the public not to panic.

According to the statement, the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, immediately deployed a tactical team to investigate the claims.

“The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, Lanre Ogunlowo, deployed the Command’s tactical team, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to assess the security situation in the area,” the statement said.

The team worked alongside the Amotekun Corps, So-Safe Corps, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), local hunters, and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), conducting a thorough intelligence-led sweep across Ajebo.

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Police Findings: ‘Settlers Are Peaceful Long-Standing Residents’

During the security assessment, operatives discovered that the Fulani settlers living in Ajebo were neither newcomers nor hostile, but long-established residents coexisting peacefully with the community.

“Children and women were seen in their temporary shelters but no arms or suspicious activities were detected. No adult male was present. The men had travelled to Oyo State for trading activities, which is consistent with their routine economic pattern,” the police explained.

The team also visited an extended RUGA settlement which, according to locals, has existed for more than a decade.

The state police command said Kabiesi Oba Rueben Oluwole — who reportedly allocated the land to the settlers — has been invited for clarification. The Baale of Alapako, where another cluster of Fulani huts was identified, was also invited for a meeting with the Commissioner of Police.

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Heightened Surveillance but No Threat Detected

The Command noted that surveillance in the area has been intensified as a precaution.

“The combined team of security agencies is maintaining surveillance within the forest area, approximately 10 km from the main community,” the statement read.

However, the police stressed that the deployment is preventive rather than reactive.

“Their presence is strictly precautionary, as the settlers were found to be unarmed and living peacefully.”

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Police Warn Against Spreading False Information

The Command urged residents to remain calm, stay vigilant, and avoid sharing unverified claims that could spark fear or tension.

“The Ogun State Police Command reassures members of the public that proactive intelligence measures remain fully in place, and citizens are advised to avoid sharing unverified information capable of inciting fear.”

Residents of Ogun State have previously complained about herder attacks on farmland, which have resulted in crop destruction and financial losses, heightening sensitivity to rumours of violence.