Police arrest man for making fake kidnapping video in Ogun

The Ogun State Police have arrested a man named Johnson Elleh. He is accused of making and sharing a fake video claiming there were kidnappings and banditry along the Owode-Idiroko area of Ogun State.

DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the police spokesperson, shared this news in a statement on Thursday.

Earlier, the police also arrested Qawiyu Oloyede. He is from Sokoto Road, Atan-Ota, and posted a false bandit attack on social media to scare people about a non-existent invasion.

Oloyede, who works as a tailor, told the police he made the fake video to get more followers on social media.

Now, talking about the latest arrest, Babaseyi said they quickly looked into the viral video. They wanted to check if the claims were true or not.

He explained, “Findings revealed that the video was false, misleading, and deliberately designed to create fear, panic, and anxiety among members of the public.

“Further investigation showed that there were no kidnapping or banditry incidents as shown in the video within the Owode-Idiroko area or nearby places.

“Detectives identified the suspect in the video, which led to his arrest.

“Preliminary findings indicate that he made and shared the false story for attention and to create content. His actions could cause unnecessary alarm, disrupt social order, and hurt public trust in the state’s security.”

During the investigation, Elleh admitted he made and spread the fake content to get online reactions and engagement.

The police are still investigating, and they plan to charge the suspect in court once the investigation is complete.

The police strongly condemned the spread of fake news and false security alerts. They warned that this kind of misinformation can cause fear and confusion among law-abiding citizens.

The police have issued a serious warning to anyone making, sharing, or spreading unverified security information. Such actions threaten public peace and security and will face serious legal consequences.

The police promise to crack down on those spreading false information on social media. They assured that no one would escape justice, regardless of their status or reasons.

The Command understands that residents may feel alarmed by the misleading video. They want to reassure everyone that the state is safe and secure.

Residents are urged to stay calm, continue their normal activities without fear, and rely only on verified information from official sources.

“The Command is committed to protecting lives and property and maintaining public order across the state,” he added.