By Peter Omopo
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Thursday undertook an operational visit to Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, as part of renewed efforts to reinforce military operations against banditry in the North-West.
Shaibu’s visit took him to the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force, Operation Fansa Yamma, where he assessed troop deployment, morale, and the progress of ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-banditry campaigns. He arrived to full military honours, including a guard of honour mounted by senior field commanders.
The Army chief was accompanied by a high-level entourage consisting of principal staff officers, as well as representatives of the Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of the Air Staff. Military sources said the visit forms part of a nationwide operational tour designed to strengthen inter-service collaboration and boost frontline effectiveness.
Meanwhile, tension gripped parts of Osun State on Wednesday night following widespread social media posts alleging a bandit attack on travellers along the Iwo–Osogbo Road.
Multiple Facebook posts and viral voice notes claimed that suspected bandits had been sighted near Osuntedo and Idoo communities, prompting fear among residents. However, none of the posts contained verifiable evidence.
The Osun State Police Command on Thursday dismissed the reports as false, clarifying that no attack occurred.
Police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, explained that the panic originated from a road traffic incident earlier in the day involving a Toyota Sienna and a commercial bus around the Gbongan area. After the collision, the bus occupants reportedly declined to stop, leading the Sienna driver to raise a false alarm alleging that the two brothers in the bus were kidnappers.
The unverified claim sparked mob action, with a group of youths pursuing and attacking the victims while vandalising their vehicle. The brothers were eventually rescued by a local hunter and taken to the Iwo Divisional Police Headquarters.
“The mob trailed them to the station, creating serious tension,” Ojelabi said. “Reinforcement was deployed from Osogbo to restore calm. The victims are safe and in protective custody, and efforts are underway to identify and arrest all those involved in the mob attack.”
The Command condemned the spread of unverified social media reports, warning residents against taking the law into their own hands. It advised the public to verify information and promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies rather than resorting to jungle justice.
“False alarms endanger innocent lives,” the police spokesperson cautioned.
