The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Johnson Elleh for allegedly producing and circulating a false video claiming that kidnapping and banditry activities were taking place along the Owode-Idiroko corridor of the state.
The command said the suspect was apprehended after detectives traced the source of the viral video, which authorities described as misleading and capable of causing panic among residents.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the command launched an immediate investigation after the video surfaced online and triggered concerns among members of the public.
According to him, findings from the investigation showed that the claims contained in the video were entirely fabricated.
Babaseyi stated that there was no record of any kidnapping or banditry attack in the Owode-Idiroko area or surrounding communities as portrayed in the footage.
“The video was false, misleading, and deliberately designed to create fear, panic, and anxiety among members of the public,” the statement said.
The police spokesperson added that investigators later discovered that Elleh personally appeared in the video, which aided detectives in identifying and arresting him.
He explained that preliminary findings indicated that the suspect intentionally created and circulated the content to attract public attention and generate online engagement.
According to the command, Elleh subsequently confessed during interrogation that the video was deliberately staged to provoke reactions on social media platforms.
The police warned that such actions could undermine public confidence in the state’s security framework and disrupt social order.
The arrest comes days after the command apprehended another suspect, Qawiyu Oloyede, for allegedly posting a fake bandit attack video online.
Oloyede, described by the police as a tailor residing on Sokoto Road in Atan-Ota, reportedly admitted that he fabricated the earlier video in a bid to increase his social media following.
Reacting to the latest development, the Ogun State Police Command strongly condemned the spread of fake security alerts and misinformation capable of creating fear and confusion among residents.
The command warned individuals and groups against creating, sharing, or recirculating unverified security-related content, stressing that such acts pose a threat to public peace and safety.
Police authorities also vowed to intensify efforts against purveyors of false information on social media, insisting that offenders would face legal consequences regardless of their status or motive.
Babaseyi assured residents that Ogun State remains peaceful and secure, urging the public not to be intimidated by fabricated reports circulating online.
He advised residents to continue their normal activities and rely only on verified information released through official communication channels.
“The Command remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting lives and property and maintaining public order across the state,” he added.
The police said investigations into the matter are still ongoing and confirmed that the suspect would be charged to court after the conclusion of the investigation.
