The Babanla Youth Forum has dismissed as false and misleading reports suggesting that 46 suspected non-state actors arrested on motorcycles were apprehended at the Babanla axis.
In a statement signed by its Secretary, Mr. Kazeem Ayinla, the Forum clarified that the suspects were not intercepted anywhere near Babanla but after Oke-Ode, on their way toward Awere.
According to him, reliable intelligence indicated that the police had trailed the group before strategically moving to apprehend them.
He stressed that dragging Babanla into the incident was an attempt to unfairly malign the community’s image.
“From what we gathered, the suspects themselves claimed they were heading to Bode-Saadu for a Maoulid Nabiyy programme. The only item recovered from them was a piece of rope, which in itself cannot be conclusive evidence of criminal intent,” Ayinla stated.
He acknowledged the insecurity challenges confronting communities across the axis but warned against turning Babanla into a scapegoat whenever security issues arise in neighbouring areas.
“Our people remain vigilant and cooperative with security agencies. We will continue to support lawful efforts to combat crime, but we will also strongly resist any attempt to stigmatize Babanla with unfounded allegations,” the statement added.
The Forum, therefore, urged security agencies, government officials, and the media to be factual and cautious in their reports so as not to misrepresent communities or fuel unnecessary tension.
THE FULL PRESS STATEMENT IS REPRODUCED BELOW
*PRESS STATEMENT*
*On the Recent Arrest of Suspected Non-State Actors*
Our attention has been drawn to reports claiming that at least 46 suspected hostile non-state actors on motorcycles were arrested “at the Babanla axis.” This narrative is false and misleading, and it unfairly drags the name of our dear community into issues not directly linked to it.
For clarity, the individuals in question were apprehended after Oke-Ode, on their way toward Awere, nowhere close to Babanla. According to reliable sources, the police had prior intelligence on their movement and strategically waited to intercept them.
*Furthermore, the suspects reportedly stated that they were heading to Bode-Saadu for a Maoulid Nabiyy program, and the only item recovered from them was a piece of rope, which by itself cannot be conclusively tied to kidnapping activities.*
We acknowledge that insecurity is a challenge across many parts of our axis, and our people remain vigilant and cooperative with security agencies. However, it is unacceptable for anyone to seize on these realities to tarnish Babanla’s image by associating every negative incident with our community.
*We urge all stakeholders, media, citizens, and government officials to ensure accuracy in their statements. Our community stands firm against insecurity, and we will continue to support every lawful effort to rid our region of crime. But we will also strongly resist any attempt to stigmatize Babanla with unfounded allegations.*
Signed:
Babanla Youth Forum
5th September,2025
