By BOLANLE LAWAL

The Police Command in Ekiti has urged residents to disregard a viral video claiming that bandits were planning to attack two higher institutions in the state.

The spokesperson for the command, SP Sunday Abutu, gave the charge in a statement in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday.

Abutu said the viral video where some people, claiming to be bandits were threatening to attack Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti (EKSU) and Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI), was fake.

He disclosed that the viral video has been confirmed to be AI-generated aimed at causing panic among residents and students.

“The Ekiti Police Command has noticed a video circulating on the social media where a man suspected to be a bandit said they will be coming to attack Ekiti State University as well as Bamidele Olumiluwa University of Education Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI).

“This video and other falsely fabricated rumours have caused a lot of apprehensions in different parts of the State.

“Upon noticing the video, the command, after thorough investigation, noticed that neither the video nor the rumour of attack in any part of the State is true, as it was discovered that the video is an Artificial Intelligence(AI) fabricated video to cause unnecessary apprehension in the State.

“The command, however, has deployed adequate security across the State, especially across the border towns, schools, public and private infrastructure, worship centres and all black spots across the state.

“The Ekiti Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Eribo, implores members of the public especially the good people of Ekiti, to disregard the fake news being circulated, go about their lawful businesses, as the command will continue to do its best to ensure maximum security for citizens and residents of the State.

“The CP enjoins everyone to be law abiding, cooperate with the Police and other security agencies, while ensuring adequate and timely report of any ugly incident or suspicious person within their environment to the nearest Police Station or call 08062335577/09064050086,” he said. (NAN)