The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Johnson Elleh for allegedly producing and circulating a false video claiming that kidnapping and banditry activities were taking place along the Owode-Idiroko corridor. Police authorities said the video, which went viral on social media, was fabricated to create fear and panic among residents.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the Command immediately launched an investigation after the video surfaced online. According to him, detectives subjected the content to thorough scrutiny to verify the claims and determine their authenticity.
The investigation revealed that the video was false, misleading and deliberately designed to spread anxiety among members of the public. Police said extensive verification exercises confirmed that no kidnapping or banditry incidents occurred in the Owode-Idiroko axis or any surrounding communities as portrayed in the footage.
Further inquiries identified Elleh as one of the individuals featured in the video, leading to his arrest. Preliminary findings indicated that he intentionally fabricated and circulated the false narrative to attract attention and generate content engagement on social media platforms.
According to the police, the suspect confessed during interrogation that he deliberately created and disseminated the misleading video to provoke public reaction and increase online engagement. The Command noted that such actions were capable of causing unnecessary public alarm, disrupting social order and undermining confidence in the state's security architecture. Police added that investigations are ongoing and that the suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of the case.
The Command condemned the growing spread of fake news and false security alerts, warning that anyone involved in creating, publishing or recirculating unverified security-related information would face prosecution. Reassuring residents, the police maintained that Ogun State remains peaceful and secure, urging the public to rely only on verified information from official channels and to continue reporting emergencies through approved communication platforms.
Elijah Adeyemi
No comments:
Post a Comment