Residents of Owo, Ondo State, were thrown into panic earlier this week after reports surfaced on social media about the discovery of a supposed kidnappers’ den near Old Ikare Road.
However, the Ondo State Police Command has firmly denied the existence of any such den, calling the story “misleading and baseless.”
During a press briefing on Friday, the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Adebowale Lawal, addressed the viral claims, describing them as “unverified fabrications” that created “unnecessary fear and anxiety among law-abiding citizens.”
“The said structure is an abandoned government building—meant for the Internal Revenue Agency—and not hidden inside any bush as widely claimed,” CP Lawal clarified.
“It is located within the town, surrounded by farming activity, with no evidence of criminal operations.”
The viral footage, circulated widely on social media, showed the interior of the abandoned building with scattered personal effects—prompting speculation it was used to detain kidnap victims.
But after a swift investigation ordered by the Commissioner, police say they found no indication of any criminal activity.
“What we found were signs that it may have been used by a vagrant or someone of unsound mind,” he added. “There is no link whatsoever to kidnapping.”
The Commissioner warned content creators and bloggers against spreading misinformation, saying such actions “erode public trust and threaten the peace we’ve worked hard to build.”
