Police arrest man over alleged fake bandit attack video for social media popularity

The Ogun State Police Command has reportedly arrested a man accused of staging and circulating a fake bandit attack video on social media in a bid to gain followers and attract online attention.

The suspect, identified as Qowiy Oloyede of Oriya Sokoto Road, Atan Ota, was allegedly apprehended following a complaint lodged at a police station in the state.

According to reports by counterinsurgency publication Zagazola Makama, the incident was reported on May 23 after one Ayinla Sodiq from Obasanjo Ota accused the suspect of creating and sharing a misleading TikTok video falsely claiming that bandits had invaded the Atan Ota community.

The publication stated that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) immediately invited the suspect for questioning over the viral video, which had reportedly sparked concern among residents and social media users.

During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to fabricating the content solely to increase his social media following and trend online.

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A video circulating on social media showed the suspect kneeling while being questioned by a man dressed in a police uniform.

In the clip, the suspect admitted that the alleged bandit attack was staged and not a real incident.

He further explained that the herder seen in the video was merely a cattle rearer who usually grazed cows behind his shop.

According to him, the herder initially declined to participate in the recording but later agreed after persuasion.

The suspect also claimed during interrogation that he could neither read nor write, adding that the caption attached to the video was written by his apprentice before it was posted online.

He reportedly disclosed that he had produced and shared only two similar videos, one on Monday and another on Wednesday.

Investigators were said to have recovered photographs and video materials linked to the fake publication during preliminary investigations.

The report added that the suspect is expected to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) in Abeokuta for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Police authorities reportedly condemned the circulation of false information capable of creating panic, fear and public disorder within communities.

The command also warned residents against spreading unverified information on social media, stressing the need for members of the public to verify claims before sharing content online.

Security experts have repeatedly raised concerns over the growing trend of fake security alerts and misinformation on social media platforms, warning that such actions could trigger unnecessary panic and undermine public confidence in security agencies.

The incident has once again highlighted the dangers associated with the misuse of digital platforms and the increasing pressure among some social media users to generate viral content at all costs.