Police arrest suspect over false security alert, fake news in Ogun

One Johnson Elleh has been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command for circulating a misleading video and raising a false alarm about alleged kidnapping and banditry activities along the Owode-Idiroko axis of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Babaseyi Oluseyi, said the command, upon receiving the video, which had gone viral across various social media platforms, subjected its contents to scrutiny and launched a swift investigation to verify the claims contained in it.

He explained that findings revealed the video was false, misleading, and deliberately designed to create fear, panic, and anxiety among members of the public.

Babaseyi also stated that extensive investigations and verification established that there was no kidnapping or banditry incident, as portrayed in the video, within the Owode-Idiroko axis or its environs.

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The statement said: “Further investigation revealed that the suspect was featured in the video and was subsequently identified by detectives, leading to his arrest.

“Preliminary findings indicate that he deliberately fabricated and circulated the false narrative for attention and content creation purposes.

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

The PPRO further said that 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 added that the suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

He said the command strongly condemned 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 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.

“The command will continue to identify, arrest, investigate, and prosecute all persons found culpable, irrespective of status or motive.”