BY: Abdulrasheed Akere
Claim:
A claim circulating on social media, most especially Whatsapp which has been shared many times asserts that Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso has been closed down due to bandits’ invasion of the institution.
Credit: screenshot of false post/FactCheckAfrica
Verdict:
The claim that Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso has been closed down due to bandits’ invasion of the institution is entirely false.
Full text:
The claim reads this: “IMPORTANT NOTICE.
LAUTECH has been closed down today by the University Authority due to the bandits that invaded the Institution.” It reads further, “Parents and Guardians are advised to come tomorrow and take their children. When they are coming they should not come to Ogbomoso through Iseyin road but through Ibadan route because bandits are already in Ogbomoso town. Also, they should not enter Ogbomoso during the Night or when the day has not break.”
The claim gained a lot of attention due to the insecurity status of the country and the current abduction case in the hosting state (Oyo). The rumor stemmed from a heightened tension across Ogbomoso and neighbouring communities after the abduction of teachers and pupils from some schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The attack was reported to have occurred around Yawota and Esiele communities, leading to widespread anxiety among residents following reports of the activities of suspected kidnappers and armed groups within parts of the state.
“Kindly, help to send this information to other platforms. Thanks,” the viral claim concluded.
Verification:
FactCheckAfrica reviewed the latest reports on the issue and found out that the claim is false. In fact, the LAUTECH management has on Tuesday, 19th May released a circular to debunk the rumor.
The circular which was signed by the Registrar, Olayinka O. Balogun (Mrs) reads in part, “The Management of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso wishes to address concerns arising from recent events in Oriire Local Government Area. We are aware that reports of those events have caused anxiety and fuelled rumours on security matters. The Management assures all members of the LAUTECH Community that there is no cause for alarm. The University remains safe, and academic activities continue without disruption as security agencies are actively monitoring the situation.”
Ofiicial letter from LAUTECH
“To this end, members of the University Community are enjoined to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and continue with their normal academic and social activities. The University Management is committed to the safety and well-being of all, and will provide timely updates should any new developments arise,” the circular contained.
Furthermore, FactCheckAfrica conducts exclusive interviews with three current students of the university which they individually declared the claim as false and invalid. One of them, Abdulmaleek Abdulrasak, a 200-level student of Mass Communication said the claim is false. In his words, “It’s false news. It comes as a result of teachers in Ogbomoso asking students to return home as a solidarity gesture in honour of a colleague who was tragically killed by abductors on Sunday. When members of the public observed students leaving the school en masse, a false alarm was raised, mistakenly suggesting the presence of unknown gunmen.”
Abdulmaleek added that he sat for departmental C.A this morning and the school activities are going smoothly, nothing shows a sign of closure.
Conclusion:
From the findings, FactCheckAfrica can confirm that Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso was not invaded by bandits and not closed down.
