The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a young tailor identified as Qawiyu for allegedly raising a false bandit alarm that sparked panic in the Atan area of the state. The suspect confessed that he fabricated and shared a staged video of a bandit attack on social media in a bid to increase his followers on TikTok.
Fabricated Video Causes Panic
The incident occurred in Atan, Ogun State, where the viral video falsely suggested bandit activity in the vicinity. Following the widespread circulation of the clip, residents were thrown into fear and uncertainty, prompting the police to launch an investigation that led to Qawiyu's arrest.
Suspect Admits Motive
During interrogation at the police station, Qawiyu admitted that no actual attack took place. He stated that he fabricated the story solely to gain online attention. “I did it because I saw people doing it to gain followers,” he said.
When asked why he singled out Atan Ota in the video, Qawiyu explained that people suggested different locations, but his main goal was simply to gain followers. He further revealed that the Fulani man seen in the viral clip was not a bandit but a cattle herder who regularly passed behind his shop with cows.
“He used to move with his cows in our area, just behind my shop. I told him we should use it to do content. He said he cannot do it, but I insisted. I told my apprentice to do the recording,” he explained.
Deleted Second Recording
Qawiyu disclosed that he made one recording on Monday and another on Wednesday, but deleted the second clip after noticing how fast the videos were spreading online. “The moment I noticed it’s spreading, I deleted the second one,” he stated.
The police have warned the public against spreading false information that could cause unrest, and the suspect will face legal consequences for his actions.
