Catholics seminarians mistaken for Boko Haram members in Ogun

The Ogun State Police Command on Tuesday debunked rumours of the arrest of some members of Boko Haram sect in the state.

Some residents of Akute in Ifo local government area had put a distress call to the police on sighting strange faces in their communities.

The men were bearded and wearing white robes. They were later discovered to be Catholic seminarians visiting a friend in the community.

“The attention of the Ogun State Police Command has been drawn to a rumour being widely circulated that the command has arrested some members of the Boko Haram Sect in Akute area of Ogun State,” the police spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement.

“The Command wishes to debunk the rumour and set the records straight that those seen and challenged by members of the public at Akute area were actually students of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate Seminary School, Sagamu, Ogun State who came on a visit to a friend at Kayode Afolabi Close, Mubarak Estate Akute, Ogun State, before a distress call was put across to the Divisional Police Officer in Charge of Ajuwon Division.”

He said the men were taken to the Police Divisional Office for interrogation where their identities were confirmed.

“The leaders and representatives of the said seminary school in Sagamu and the Catholic priest in Akute as well as the host of the students have come to the Police Division in Ajuwon to identify them as their Catholic members who are actually on training in the school in Sagamu,” Mr. Adejobi said.

“The information being peddled around is not true and the command therefore appeals to the general public to always clarify issues before spreading wrong and unconfirmed information via all available means, particularly sensitive issues on security.”