Edo Police Tackle Fake News: TikTok Creator Arrested and Charged
The Edo State Police Command has taken a firm stance against the spread of misinformation by arresting and prosecuting a 24-year-old female content creator. The suspect, identified as Osarobo Omoyemen, who is popularly known online as 'Madam Oil Rice', was charged in court on Thursday, 20th November, 2025.
The Fabricated Kidnapping Allegation
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, the case began when a video circulated on TikTok. In the clip, Omoyemen allegedly made a false claim that she was kidnapped along Upper Sakponba Road in Benin City. She further asserted that after being rescued by police operatives, she was detained at the Akpata Police Station and made to pay Ten Thousand Naira as bail.
Worried by this serious allegation, the police command immediately launched a detailed investigation. The probe revealed that the entire story was a deliberate fabrication. During interrogation, the suspect confessed that she staged the incident solely to generate online content and attract followers to her TikTok page.
Confession and Ongoing Manhunt
The police investigation uncovered more damning evidence. It was discovered that 'Madam Oil Rice' had deleted an earlier video where an accomplice could be heard in the background appealing to viewers to follow her page. This action clearly exposed the motive behind the false alarm.
The police stated that the misleading content was not only a lie but was also capable of inciting hostility against the Police and triggering unnecessary tension within Edo State. While the primary suspect has been charged, the command confirmed that efforts are ongoing to arrest her accomplices to ensure they also face the full weight of the law.
A Warning to Social Media Users
The arrest and subsequent charging of Osarobo Omoyemen are intended to serve as a deterrent to others who may attempt to misuse social media platforms to create panic or disrupt public peace. The Edo State Police Command has issued a strong warning against the creation and circulation of fake news that is capable of disturbing the peace and security of the state.
They have urged members of the public to always verify information before sharing and to refrain from any acts that may mislead the public or undermine the efforts of security agencies in maintaining order.
In a related development from a neighboring state, the Delta State police command has announced the arrest of a suspected serial killer and prison escapee, Michael Ezenwai. He was apprehended by the Agbor police division on October 24, 2025, while attempting to sell a stolen phone, which was later linked to a deceased woman found in her apartment.
