Video: Police arrest man over fake kidnap video; says no incident in Ogun
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a man for producing and circulating a misleading video that falsely claimed kidnappings and banditry along the Owode‑Idiroko axis.
The Command said this in a statement obtained on Tuesday.
“The Ogun State Police Command has arrested one Mr. Johnson Elleh for producing and circulating a misleading video falsely alleging kidnapping and banditry activities along the Owode‑Idiroko axis of Ogun State,” the statement said.
Police said the video quickly went viral, prompting immediate scrutiny and a swift investigation. Officers found the footage to be “false, misleading, and deliberately designed to create fear, panic, and anxiety among members of the public.”
The Command added that there was no kidnapping or banditry incident in the Owode‑Idiroko area as portrayed in the clip.
Detectives identified and arrested the suspect after he appeared in the footage.
“Preliminary findings indicate that he deliberately fabricated and circulated the false narrative for attention and content‑creation purposes,” the statement said, adding that his actions risked causing unnecessary public alarm and undermining confidence in the state’s security architecture.
According to police, the suspect confessed during investigation, admitting he created and disseminated the misleading content to generate online engagement.
Investigation is ongoing, and the accused will be charged to court on conclusion of inquiries.
The Command issued a stern warning to anyone creating or sharing unverified security-related information.
“The Command strongly condemns 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 statement said.
It vowed to “identify, arrest, investigate, and prosecute all persons found culpable, irrespective of status or motive.”
Reassuring residents, the police said Ogun State remains “safe, peaceful, and secure” and urged people to rely only on verified information from official channels and to continue their lawful activities without fear.
For emergencies and verified information, the Command directed the public to Gateway Shield (Toll‑Free): 0800 000 9111 and emergency lines 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369, 0708 497 2994.
