The Osun State Police Command on Thursday denied the claim on social media that suspected bandit attacked motorists along Osogbo/Iwo road on Wednesday night.
The command through its Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi in a statement asserted there was no herdsmen attack or any form of criminal assault along the road on the date in question.
He explained the incident insinuated as attack was accident involving two vehicles that hit each other along the route.
According to him: “On 18th November, 2025, at about 12:30 PM a Toyota Sienna vehicle hit the rear of a bungle bus with registration number EPE 449 YLY around the Gbongan axis. The bus was en route from Benin, Edo State, to Osogbo, with male occupants as the driver and co-driver, respectively.
“The collision damaged the Toyota Sienna’s bumper, but the occupants of the bus, believing nothing was wrong with their own vehicle, refused to stop and continued their journey. The Toyota Sienna driver, aggrieved by the refusal of the bus to stop and the visible damage to the bumper of his vehicle, raised an alarm and mobilized people along the road, accusing the two brothers in the bus of being kidnappers and thieves.”
He stated that the false alarm triggered angry mob that pursued and eventually blocked the bus, confirming “The mob attacked the two occupants and vandalized the vehicle while attempting to lynch them.”
“Fortunately, a good Samaritan who is also a local hunter from Gaa Saidu Ikofin in Ola-Oluwa LGA, intervened, rescued the victims, and conveyed them along with their damaged bus to Iwo Divisional Police Headquarters for safety.
“The mob trailed them to the station, creating serious tension. The Divisional Police Officer immediately called for reinforcement from Osogbo, and tactical teams were swiftly deployed to restore calm.
“The victims are presently safe and in protective custody. Efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest members of the mob involved in the vandalism and attempted jungle justice.”
Ojelabi condemned the false alarms and spread of unverified information capable of causing panic and endangering lives.
