Residents of Agadagba-Obon in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State have been advised to disregard rumours alleging the presence of Boko Haram terrorists within the community, following findings that confirmed there was no evidence of any terrorist activity.
Arogbo-Ibe Voice Reporters gathered that the incident, which temporarily caused panic among residents and visitors, was triggered by a false alarm and not by any security breach or terrorist threat as initially feared.
Eyewitnesses who spoke with our correspondent disclosed that the confusion reportedly began within a school environment during ongoing West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examinations. The false alarm quickly spread through parts of the community, causing panic among residents, traders, motorists, and passersby, who fled for safety before the situation was clarified.
Community sources and eyewitnesses confirmed that there was no attack, no sighting of suspected Boko Haram members, and no verified security threat linked to terrorism within Agadagba-Obon at the time of the incident.
Residents who spoke with Arogbo-Ibe Voice Reporters described the development as an unfortunate misunderstanding that generated unnecessary fear and confusion among members of the public.
The Headmistress of Derimo College, Mrs. Owei Inaidou, who was interviewed by Arogbo-Ibe Voice Reporters, said she was in her office when the incident occurred. She explained that students were currently writing their WAEC final examinations when panic broke out outside the school environment, leading to confusion among parents and residents who rushed to the school premises.
She noted that the sudden arrival of anxious parents demanding their children created tension within the school before it was later confirmed that there was no real security threat.
Information gathered also revealed that the false alarm affected other schools within the Arogbo area, including Evans Primary and Secondary School, as panic reportedly spread across surrounding communities before normalcy was restored.
Stakeholders in the community have therefore urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information capable of causing panic, anxiety, and public disorder.
They emphasized the importance of verifying sensitive information through credible channels before sharing it, noting that false security reports can create unnecessary tension and disrupt social and economic activities within communities.
Community leaders also called on parents, guardians, and school authorities to intensify sensitization on responsible communication, especially among young people, to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As of the time of filing this report, normal activities had fully resumed in Agadagba-Obon and surrounding areas, while residents expressed relief that the situation was quickly clarified and brought under control.
Authorities and community stakeholders reiterated the importance of vigilance, responsible conduct, and accurate information sharing in maintaining peace, public safety, and social harmony within the community.
