Kwara State Government, on Tuesday denounced the rumour in circulation alleging that weapons were withdrawn from vigilantes and forest guards for servicing hours before the armed bandits struck on Sunday at Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.

At least 12 people were massacred and scores abducted in the bloody attack by bandits on the community.

Reacting to the development, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, in Ilorin on Tuesday, said “there is no truth in the claim that the Department of State Service, DSS, withdrew weapons from the forest guards at any time” prior to the deadly attack on the community.

He said the leadership of the forest guards had disputed the claim, while the DSS had expressed strong reservations about the demoralizing, albeit false claim made in the viral video, reportedly by a woman.

“We pray to God to console the bereaved woman and every other one, but her claim is not true,” he added.

The governor’s spokesman assured that “we will get out this stronger and safer, let us remain united, calm, and refuse to be daggers drawn with ourselves, that will be a road to the Golgotha.”

Ajakaye also dwelt on the official statement by the Nigerian Air Force on the Monday night assault on bandits’ hideouts on Kwara-Kogi border which eliminated a sizeable number of the criminals.

He dismissed insinuating members of the public who doubted the authenticity of the statement, and confirmed that it was issued by the Air Force on its official Whatsapp platform at about 1:54p.m on Monday about its operation in the troubled area.

Ajakaye confirmed that the statement was issued by NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.

“What does the government gain to say there was an operation if there was none?” He queried.

DSS never withdrew arms from vigilantes before deadly Kwara attack – Govt