The Ogun State Police Command on Friday dismissed a widely shared social media video that claimed herdsmen were preparing to attack the Ajebo community in Obafemi‑Owode Local Government Area, insisting there is no threat to residents’ safety.
In a statement, police spokesperson CSP Omolola Odutola said the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, immediately deployed a tactical team led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) to investigate and verify the situation.
The security team carried out a field assessment in Ajebo, supported by other agencies, including the Amotekun Corps, So‑Safe Corps, local hunters, the Vigilante Group, and the Police Community Relations Committee. According to Odutola, their sweep found no signs of violence, hostile behavior, or security breaches; instead, they observed peaceful cohabitation in the area.
During the visit, officers encountered long‑established Fulani settlers, including women and children in their homes, but they did not find any weapons or suspicious activity. Odutola noted that no adult men were present at the time, explaining that they had traveled to Oyo State for routine trading part of their regular economic life within the community.
The police further revealed that the Fulani settlement in Ajebo is not new but an extended RUGA community that has existed for over a decade. To clarify the circumstances, the Command has invited traditional leaders, including Oba Rueben Oluwole, the local ruler who reportedly allocated land to the settlers, as well as the Baale of Alapako, where another Fulani cluster was identified.
As a precautionary measure, the Command has maintained surveillance around a nearby forest located about 10 kilometres from Ajebo. However, they emphasize that the patrols are purely preventive, given that the settlers were found to be unarmed and living peacefully. The operation reflects an ongoing effort to monitor the area and ensure public safety.
In closing, the police urged the public to remain calm, stay vigilant, and avoid spreading unverified videos or rumors that could incite unnecessary fear. They emphasized that the viral footage is misleading and that all findings so far point to a stable, peaceful situation in Ajebo.
