The Ogun State Police has arrested a man named Johnson Elleh for making and sharing a false video about kidnapping and banditry along the Owode-Idiroko road in Ogun State.
DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the police spokesperson, shared this information in a statement on Thursday.
Recently, the police also caught another man, Qawiyu Oloyede, who lives on Sokoto Road in Atan-Ota, for posting a fake bandit attack on social media. His goal was to spread fear and panic about a non-existent bandit invasion.
Oloyede, who works as a tailor, told the police he made the fake video to attract followers on social media.
Regarding the latest arrest, Babaseyi said that after the police received the viral video, they quickly looked into its content and began an investigation to check the claims.
He stated, "Our findings showed that the video was false, misleading, and meant to create fear and anxiety among the public."
"Further investigation confirmed that there was no kidnapping or banditry incident as shown in the video in the Owode-Idiroko area or nearby."
"Detectives identified the suspect in the video, which led to his arrest."
"Initial findings suggest that he made and shared the false story to gain attention and create content. His actions could cause unnecessary alarm and disturb public peace, which affects trust in the state's security."
During the investigation, Elleh reportedly admitted that he intentionally created and spread the misleading video to get more online engagement and reactions from the public.
The investigation is still ongoing, and the police plan to take the suspect to court once the investigation is complete.
The police have strongly condemned the spread of fake news, false security alerts, and any misinformation that can cause fear and confusion among the citizens.
They have issued a strong warning to anyone involved in creating or sharing unverified security-related information. Such actions threaten public safety and will lead to legal consequences.
The police are determined to clamp down on anyone spreading false information on social media, stressing that no one will escape the law, regardless of their status or reasons.
The police understand the worries of residents who may have been scared by the misleading video. They want to reassure everyone that the state is safe and peaceful.
Residents are advised to stay calm, go about their activities without fear, and rely only on verified information from official sources.
Babaseyi added, "The Command is committed to protecting lives and property and maintaining public order throughout the state."
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇