The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Qawiyu Oloyede for allegedly circulating a fabricated video of a bandit attack on social media, in what authorities say was an attempt to cause public panic and gain online attention.
The suspect, a tailor who resides on Sokoto Road in Atan-Ota, was apprehended after the video, which falsely portrayed a bandit invasion, went viral across several social media platforms, triggering anxiety among residents.
Police said preliminary investigations revealed that the footage was deliberately staged to mislead the public and create a false impression of insecurity in the state.
In a video of his interrogation that later surfaced online, Oloyede admitted to fabricating the incident, saying the act was motivated by a desire to increase his social media following.
“I created the fake bandit attack and posted it on social media to gain followers,” he confessed.
He further explained that a local herder, who usually grazes cattle behind his shop, was unknowingly featured in the staged video, adding that even the herder had initially declined participation.
Oloyede also claimed illiteracy played a role in how the content was presented, stating that he could not read or write and that his apprentice assisted in drafting the accompanying captions.
“I don’t know how to read or write. I didn’t go to school. It was my apprentice that wrote the accompanying message to the video,” he said, adding that he had produced similar clips on two occasions earlier in the week.
Confirming the arrest, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the suspect had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
According to him, the command views the spread of fake security-related content as a serious offence capable of heightening tension and undermining public trust.
“The suspect is with the SCID,” Babaseyi said.
Security analysts have repeatedly warned that the circulation of false information about attacks or emergencies can trigger unnecessary fear, disrupt community peace, and strain security response systems.
The police urged members of the public to verify sensitive information before sharing it online, warning that perpetrators of fake news capable of threatening public order will be prosecuted.
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