Nigerians have reacted with criticism following the announcement of the arrest of a suspect linked to a fake audio message purportedly featuring President Bola Tinubu’s voice.
With many questioning why similar efforts have not yielded results against kidnappers and bandits operating across the country.
The reactions followed a Thursday Facebook post by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, who announced that operatives of the Inspector-General of Police’s crack team had arrested a suspect allegedly responsible for creating and circulating the AI-generated audio falsely attributed to President Tinubu.
Onanuga wrote, “The IGP crack team has arrested Ifechukwu Dennis who originated the fake voice that he passed on to his gullible targets as President Tinubu’s voice. Dennis was arrested in Benin. The police will issue an official statement.”
He also disclosed that another individual had been arrested over a social media post concerning security in Abuja, adding that authorities were determined to curb the spread of information capable of causing panic among citizens.
However, the announcement triggered a wave of reactions from Nigerians who questioned the priorities of security agencies amid worsening insecurity in parts of the country.
A Facebook user, Yusuf Muhammad Ladan, described the development as evidence of misplaced priorities, writing: “A funny nation. So bandits can’t be tracked.”
Another commenter, Chidubem Ukamaka Onyejemuo, remarked: “He was tracked down and arrested before the bandits posting videos on TikTok. We are taking notes.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Anche Cornelius Uyah wrote: “They should use the same energy to track bandits sending videos on social media.”
The reactions also referenced recent incidents of kidnapping and banditry, arguing that security agencies appeared more effective in pursuing social media-related offences than violent criminals.
Others directly linked their concerns to the growing presence of bandits on social media platforms. Lesuanu wrote, “And bandits are doing giveaways on TikTok,” while Fatimo Gbadamosi urged security agencies to trace “people in the bush doing TikTok also.”
Nicholas Oforkansi and Abdulrahman Isah Taheer questioned why the suspect was allegedly tracked and arrested ahead of those responsible for violent crimes.
Enobong Oton said the arrest raised concerns about the treatment of what he described as “soft targets” while kidnappers and ransom collectors continued to operate.
Oton said, “Big Congratulations to the police on the arrest, but when are they going to arrest the hostage takers and ransom collectors. Arresting soft targets such as this man, while allowing violent criminals to roam freely and perpetrate more crimes amounts to a form of criminal negligence.”
Rilwan Musa Soba also questioned whether the same capabilities used to identify and arrest the suspect would be deployed against criminal groups operating from forests and remote communities.
John Maxwell wrote: “How many days did it take you to arrest him because of a doctored video? But bandits are moving freely and making videos with handles.”
Araba Yemi Banjo criticised the development, saying “authorities should be showcasing the arrest of kidnappers rather than individuals accused of circulating controversial content online.”
Banjo continued, “Sir, in all that is happening in this country, is this what you can gloat about? One would have expected you to be showcasing arrested kidnappers who for over two weeks held innocent schoolchildren hostage in an evil forest. But alas you are here, sir, messaging the ego of your benefactor who has failed to perform his duty.”
The reactions come amid growing public concern over the abduction of student and teachers in Oyo State.
Between May 13 and 15, 2026, separate attacks in Borno and Oyo states led to the abduction of at least 82 pupils.
From the abduction in the Oyo attack, a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded, a motorcyclist was killed, and a security operative was confirmed dead after running into improvised explosive devices planted by the abductors during rescue efforts.
