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Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a man accused of peddling misinformation and fake news about kidnapping and banditry activities.
The command’s spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, in a statement issued on Thursday, revealed that the suspect, identified as Johnson Elleh, was arrested for producing and circulating a misleading video alleging kidnapping and banditry activities along the Owode-Idiroko axis of Ogun State.
Babaseyi disclosed that police operatives conducted a fact-check of the video and found that the claims were false and intended to stir panic.
“Upon receipt of the viral video, the Command immediately subjected its contents to scrutiny and commenced a swift investigation to verify the claims contained therein. Findings revealed that the video was false, misleading, and deliberately designed to create fear, panic, and anxiety among members of the public,” said Babaseyi.
“Extensive investigation and verification further established that there was no kidnapping or banditry incident as portrayed in the video within the Owode-Idiroko axis or its environs.”
The spokesperson added that further investigation revealed that the suspect featured in the video had been identified by detectives, leading to his arrest.
PRESS RELEASE
OGUN POLICE COMMAND ARRESTS ANOTHER SUSPECT OVER FALSE SECURITY ALERT AND FAKE NEWS, WARNS AGAINST SPREAD OF MISINFORMATION
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested one Mr. Johnson Elleh for producing and circulating a misleading video falsely alleging… pic.twitter.com/T81GBBbbE7
— Ogun State Police Command (@OgunPoliceNG) June 4, 2026
“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 State’s security architecture,” he added.
Babaseyi further revealed that Elleh confessed to intentionally creating and disseminating the misleading content to generate online engagement and public reaction. The investigation is ongoing, and the suspect will be charged in court upon its conclusion.
He reiterated the command’s stance on misinformation and condemned the spread of fake news, false security alerts, and other forms of misinformation that can cause 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,” he added.
“The Command will continue to identify, arrest, investigate, and prosecute all persons found culpable, irrespective of status or motive.”
