Ogun Police Arrest Another Suspect Over False Security Alert
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a man, Johnson Elleh, for allegedly producing and circulating a viral video containing false claims of kidnapping and banditry activities along the Owode-Idiroko corridor of the state.
The police said the arrest followed an investigation launched after the video surfaced online and generated concern among residents over the security situation in the area.
According to the Command, a thorough review of the footage and subsequent inquiries revealed that the allegations contained in the video were entirely false and intended to mislead members of the public.
Police authorities stated that investigators found no evidence of any kidnapping or banditry incident in the Owode-Idiroko axis or surrounding communities as depicted in the video.
The Command explained that detectives identified Elleh as one of the individuals featured in the recording and later tracked him down for questioning.
Preliminary findings, according to the police, showed that the suspect deliberately created and circulated the content to attract public attention and boost online engagement.
The police noted that the false narrative had the potential to trigger fear, create unnecessary panic among residents, disrupt public order, and erode confidence in the state's security framework.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly admitted to fabricating and sharing the video for content creation purposes and to generate reactions on social media platforms.
The Command disclosed that investigations are still ongoing and that the suspect will be charged to court upon completion of the process.
Reacting to the incident, the Ogun State Police Command condemned the spread of fake news and unverified security-related information, warning that individuals involved in such activities would face legal consequences.
The police stressed that the dissemination of false security alerts constitutes a threat to public peace and safety, adding that the Command would continue to identify, arrest and prosecute offenders regardless of their status or motive.
The Command also reassured residents that Ogun State remains peaceful and secure, urging the public to disregard the misleading video and obtain security information only from verified and official sources.
Police spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the Command remains committed to safeguarding lives and property while maintaining law and order across the state.
He further encouraged residents to remain vigilant, continue their daily activities without fear, and promptly report emergencies or credible security concerns through official police communication channels.