The Police Command in Osun says it has arrested four suspects in Ila-Orangun for allegedly inciting fear of a bandits’ attack in the state.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday in Osogbo by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi.

Ojelabi said the suspects, on Feb. 18, inscribed the words “BANDIT TODAY TODAY” on a resident’s wall in the Ajegunle area of Ila-Orangun.

He said the inscription triggered panic, prompting some residents to flee amid fears of an imminent banditry attack.

“Immediately the report was received, operatives of the State Intelligence Department swung into action.

“Through diligent intelligence analysis, the suspects, based in the Ila-Orangun axis, were arrested,” Ojelabi said.

He said preliminary investigations revealed that one of the suspects admitted writing the words on the wall.

“He confessed to committing the act and claimed he acted out of ignorance,” Ojelabi said.

According to him, the alleged offences border on conspiracy and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

Ojelabi urged residents to shun acts capable of causing panic and advised them to go about their lawful activities.

He added that the police remained focused on sustaining the peace for which Osun has long been known.