Boko Haram has not invaded Osun – Security chiefs

The Security Council of Osun State on Wednesday debunked the rumour that Boko Haram has imported its terror activities into the state.
Addressing the press on behalf of the council, the Commissioner, Osun State Police Command, Ibrahim Maishanu, described as false a report in the media of an alleged bomb blast in Ile-Ife on Tuesday, thereby insinuating that the Boko Haram terror group had made incursion into the South West state.
Other security chiefs at the briefing included the Director of the Department of State Services in the state, Andrew I; the Commandant of the Nigerian Army Engineering Construction Regiment, Ede, Brigadier General Gbenga Adeyemo; and the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Muhammed Hussein.
Maishanu said the detachment of police that went to the spot of the alleged explosion only found a banger and not a deadly explosive or bomb as was earlier reported, which explained why no life was lost or injuries recorded.
The police boss said the banger went off in an area dominated by miscreants and hoodlums, who use such means to scare people before dispossessing them of their belonging.
He said there is no threat to lives and property as the state still remains one of the most peaceful in the country.
He enjoined people in the state to go about their lawful activities without let or hindrance as the police are ever ready to protect them in all nooks and crannies of the state.
The statement by Maishanu said inter alia: “Our attention has been drawn to screaming headlines in a section of the media, alleging bomb blast in Ile-Ife and surreptitiously mingling it with other reports of bomb blasts in Borno and Kaduna States, indicating acts of terrorism and the handiwork of Boko Haram. This is false and misleading.
“In the early hours of Tuesday, just before dawn, my command received report of an explosion in Ile-Ife and we quickly raced to the scene with a detachment of the bomb disposal unit.
“We discovered that the explosion was caused by a big banger or knockout. No life was lost, no injury was recorded and no property was lost, beyond the scorching of the earth where it impacted. A second piece that had not gotten off was immediately detonated by my men.
“This incident occurred in an area of the city frequented by miscreants, hooligans and layabouts and they use such means to frighten their victims. We are investigating and will get to the root of the matter. The perpetrators or whoever is behind this will be brought to book.
“There is no threat to life and property and the peace and tranquillity in the state. Osun is one of the most peaceful states in the country and we have one of the lowest crime rates. There is no confusion or panic anywhere. There is no threat to public peace or threat of terrorist attack anywhere in the state.
“We want to assure all the residents in the state of their protection – the safety of their lives and property – and ask them to go about their duties without any fear whatsoever.”
Maishanu called on all media organisations to verify the authenticity of any claim or report with the police and other appropriate authorities so as to avoid creating unnecessary panic, confusion and fear where none exists.