Police Arrest Content Creator For Alleged Fake Banditry Video

The Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has arrested a man, Johnson Elleh, for allegedly producing and circulating a misleading video claiming that kidnapping and banditry activities were taking place along the Owode-Idiroko axis of the state.

The command said the video, which went viral on social media, was false and capable of creating fear and panic among residents.

Naija News reports that the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Babaseyi said the command acted immediately after receiving the viral video by subjecting its contents to proper scrutiny and launching an investigation to verify the claims made in it.

According to him, police findings showed that the video was deliberately created to mislead the public.

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

The police spokesperson said further checks by the command showed that there was no kidnapping or banditry incident in the Owode-Idiroko axis or any nearby community as portrayed in the video.

He added that detectives later identified the suspect after discovering that he featured in the video.

“Further investigation revealed that the suspect was featured in the video and was subsequently identified by detectives, leading to his arrest,” Babaseyi stated.

He explained that preliminary investigation revealed that Elleh allegedly fabricated and circulated the false security claim for attention and content creation purposes.

According to the police, the suspect’s action had the capacity to cause public alarm, disturb social order, and weaken public confidence in the security arrangements of the state.

“His actions were capable of causing unnecessary public alarm, disrupting social order, and undermining public confidence in the security architecture of the state,” the statement added.

Suspect Confessed To Creating Misleading Content

Babaseyi further disclosed that during interrogation, the suspect allegedly admitted that he intentionally created and circulated the misleading video to attract online engagement and provoke public reaction.

“During the course of the investigation, the suspect reportedly confessed to intentionally creating and disseminating the misleading content to generate online engagement and public reaction,” he said.

The command said the investigation into the matter was still ongoing, adding that the suspect would be charged in court at the conclusion of the investigation.

The Ogun State Police Command also warned residents against creating or spreading unverified security information, especially content capable of causing fear and confusion among members of the public.

Babaseyi said the command would not tolerate fake news, false security alerts, or any form of misinformation capable of threatening public peace.

“The Ogun State Police Command strongly condemns the deliberate spread of fake news, false security alerts, and other forms of misinformation capable of causing fear, panic, and confusion among law-abiding citizens,” the statement said.

The police warned individuals and groups involved in creating, publishing, recirculating, or disseminating unverified security-related content to desist from such acts.

“The Command hereby issues a stern warning to individuals and groups engaged in the creation, publication, recirculation, or dissemination of unverified security-related information that such acts constitute a threat to public peace and security and will attract the full weight of the law,” Babaseyi added.

He said the command would continue to identify, arrest, investigate, and prosecute anyone found culpable, regardless of status or motive.

The police acknowledged that the viral video may have caused concern among residents, but assured the public that the state remains safe and peaceful.

The command urged residents to remain calm, go about their lawful activities without fear, and rely only on verified information from official channels.

“The Command acknowledges the concerns of residents who may have been alarmed by the misleading video and wishes to reassure the public that Ogun State remains safe, peaceful, and secure. Residents are encouraged to remain calm, continue their lawful activities without fear, and rely solely on verified information disseminated through official channels,” the statement read.

Babaseyi said the command remained committed to protecting lives and property and maintaining public order across the state.

“The Command remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting lives and property and maintaining public order across the state,” he concluded.