The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Qawiyu Oloyede, a resident of Sokoto Road, Atan-Ota, for allegedly creating and circulating a fake bandit attack video on social media in an attempt to stir fear and panic over a non-existent invasion in the state.
The arrest followed the circulation of a viral video on Sunday showing Oloyede being interrogated by police officers over the controversial clip.
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, who works as a tailor, staged the video to attract attention and increase his social media following amid growing security concerns across parts of Nigeria.
Speaking during interrogation, Oloyede admitted to fabricating the video and using a local herder in the recording.
“I created the fake bandit attack and posted it on social media to gain followers. The Fulani that I used is a herder that used to bring his cows to graze behind my shop, even the Fulani herder did not want to participate in the act.
“I don’t know how to even read and write, I didn’t go to school, it was my apprentice that wrote the accompanying message to the video. I have only done two of such videos which I posted on Monday and on Wednesday.”
The incident comes amid heightened public sensitivity to insecurity and banditry-related reports across the country, with security agencies repeatedly warning against the spread of false information capable of causing public unrest.
Confirming the arrest, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
Babaseyi said, “The suspect is with the SCID.”
