𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐲: 𝐂𝐎𝐀𝐒 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐙𝐚𝐦𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐎𝐬𝐮𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐛𝐮𝐧𝐤 𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, on Thursday visited Gusau, Zamfara State, in a renewed push to strengthen ongoing counter-banditry operations across the North-West region.
Shaibu’s visit to the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force, Operation Fansa Yamma, formed part of his operational tour of frontline formations battling bandits and other criminal elements. He was received with full military honours, including a ceremonial guard of honour mounted by senior commanders.
The COAS arrived in company with a high-powered delegation comprising principal officers from the Army Headquarters, as well as representatives of the Chiefs of Naval and Air Staff.
According to military sources, the nationwide tour is aimed at assessing troop morale, operational readiness, and progress in counter-terrorism and anti-banditry campaigns.
Meanwhile, residents of Osun State were thrown into panic late Wednesday following widespread social media posts alleging a bandit attack along the Iwo–Osogbo Road. Several Facebook messages and voice notes claimed bandits were spotted near Osuntedo and Idoo communities, causing fear across the state.
However, those circulating the alarm provided no verifiable evidence.
The Osun State Police Command on Thursday dismissed the claims, stating clearly that no bandit or herdsmen attack occurred on the route. Police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi explained that the panic originated from a road traffic incident earlier in the day.
He said a Toyota Sienna had hit the rear of a bus near the Gbongan axis. The bus occupants, believing the impact was minimal, refused to stop, prompting the Sienna driver to raise a false alarm accusing the occupants — two brothers — of attempted kidnapping.
The rumour triggered a mob attack on the victims and led to the vandalisation of their bus. A local hunter eventually rescued them and took them to the Iwo Divisional Police Headquarters, where the mob later attempted to invade.
Ojelabi said reinforcement was deployed from Osogbo to restore calm, adding that the victims are safe and in protective custody. He said efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest those involved in the mob action.
The Command condemned the circulation of unverified claims and warned residents against jungle justice, urging them to report suspicious activities directly to the police.
