The Osun State Police Command has dismissed a viral social media claim alleging that suspected bandits attacked motorists along the Osogbo–Iwo Road on Wednesday night.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the command described the report as entirely false, stressing that no herdsmen attack—or any form of criminal assault—occurred on the route on the said date.
According to Ojelabi, the incident widely circulated as an “attack” was, in fact, a collision involving two vehicles.
He explained that at about 12:30 p.m. on 18 November 2025, a Toyota Sienna rammed into the rear of a commercial bus with registration number EPE 449 YLY around the Gbongan axis. The bus, travelling from Benin, Edo State, to Osogbo, had only its driver and co-driver on board.
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“The impact damaged the Sienna’s bumper, but the occupants of the bus, believing their vehicle was unaffected, continued their journey,” Ojelabi said.
He added that the Sienna driver, angered by their refusal to stop, raised a false alarm and mobilised people along the road, claiming the two men in the bus were kidnappers and thieves.
The alarm, he said, triggered a mob that chased down the bus, blocked it, and attacked the occupants while vandalising the vehicle.
Fortunately, a local hunter from Gaa Saidu Ikofin in Ola-Oluwa Local Government Area intervened and rescued the men, conveying them and their damaged vehicle to the Iwo Divisional Police Headquarters.
Ojelabi noted that the mob later stormed the station, heightening tension until reinforcements from Osogbo were deployed to restore order.
He confirmed that the victims are safe and under police protection, adding that efforts are underway to identify and arrest those involved in the vandalism and attempted lynching.
The spokesperson warned against spreading unverified information, saying such false alarms can trigger panic and put innocent lives at risk.
