It was a story that went viral on social media on Wednesday and continued to enjoy social media buzz till Thursday. Helicopter conveying armed men were reportedly sighted at Lalaji town, Edu Local Government , Kwara State. Some unknown men carrying dangerous weapons were said to have disembarked from the helicopter and dashed into the bush. Apart from creating social media buzz on Thursday , the story not only got many worried but also heightened fear and sent many among residents of the state and other Nigerians to considerable state of confusion.
Kwara State Police Commissioner, Kayode Egbetokun, however, on Friday, denied that such scenario was enacted anywhere in any part of the state. The police command in a statement made available to Global Excellence by the state PPRO, Ajayi Okasanmi blamed the writer of the report for jumping to wrong conclusions and for being overzealous. ‘We wish to assure the good people of Kwara State of our commitment to the security and safety of lives and property of the citizens.
The Command is not unaware of the concerns expressed by some citizens regarding the false alarm about an helicopter that was reportedly sighted at Lalaji town, Edu Local government area of the state, discharging men bearing dangerous weapons who dashed into the bush. Some online reporters went public with the unsubstantiated rumour without recourse to the Command, which was very unprofessional and highly provocative. However, the Command for the umpteenth time is assuring the people of Kwara State of its capability to provide security for the citizens’, he said. While shedding some light on the issue by narrating what actually happened, the police commissioner appealed to the people of the state to pass information through the right channels once they notice strange developments rather than creating unnecessary tension.
‘The people sighted at Lalaji town were a team from Padlink Resources Limited who were at the location to conduct geological mapping and mineral exploration, with the approval from the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development under the National Integrated Mineral exploration project (NIMEP). The people of Kwara State are advised to pass information of any suspicious movement within their areas through the established channels made available by the Command, rather than making false statements that are capable of creating unnecessary tension in the state. Journalists, especially bloggers and online reporters are advised to always verify their stories before going public, the Kwara State Command holds and will continue to hold members of the press in high esteem’ he stated. Men of the state police command and that of the sister security agencies in the state are according to him, working round the clock to ensure the security of lives and property, Egbetokun advised residents of the state to go about their normal businesses and disregard the false news of terrorists invading the state.
