BY: Adesewa Grace
Claim:
An X user, Voice of Igbos, tweeting as @Voiceofigbos, made a post on Sunday claiming that over 50 people died under mysterious circumstances in Oyo State, leading to a subsequent declaration of a state of emergency.
Verdict:
The claim that over 50 people died under mysterious circumstances in Oyo State and that a State of Emergency was declared is FALSE.
Full Text:
On Sunday, claims circulating across multiple social media platforms alleged that 50 people, including five Nigerian soldiers, were kidnapped by gunmen in Oyo State.
The reports further claimed that a state of emergency was declared across the South West due to rampant criminal activities such as skull mining and kidnapping.
The post has garnered a total 24,100 impressions, 647 likes and 315 retweets.
Verification:
In a bid to ascertain the veracity of the claim, FactCheckAfrica came across a statement by the State Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, debunking the claims.
Osifeso stated, “The state Police command wishes to emphatically refute rumours and misleading information making the rounds, particularly on social media, about the death of about 50 persons under mysterious circumstances and a subsequent declaration of a state of emergency as false and a figment of the author’s imagination.”
He also emphasised that the claims are baseless rumours designed to mislead the public. Osifeso warned against the spread of fake and unverified news that could disrupt peace in the state.
“All law-abiding residents of the state are enjoined to go about their lawful businesses without any fear or molestation as the command will not renege on its statutory duties of protecting all lives and property.
“In cases of emergency, the command can always be reached through these numbers; Oyo State call Response Center Toll Free Line: 615, command control room lines: 08081768614, 09054133071 & 09061299291,” he added.
Conclusion:
Based on the police’s official statement, the claim of mysterious deaths and the declaration of a state of emergency in Oyo State is entirely false.
