The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a man for allegedly staging and circulating a fake bandit attack video on social media in an effort to gain followers online. The incident was reported on May 23, 2026, when one Ayinla Sodiq of Obasanjo Ota brought the suspect, identified as Qowiy Oloyede of Oriya Sokoto Road, Atan Ota, to a police station.
Suspect Accused of Fabricating Video
The complainant accused the suspect of producing and sharing a misleading TikTok video that falsely claimed bandits had invaded the Atan Ota community in Ogun State. According to counterinsurgency publication Zagazola Makama, the divisional police officer (DPO) questioned the suspect, who allegedly admitted to fabricating the video to increase his social media following.
Confession and Details
In a viral clip circulating online, the suspect was seen kneeling while being questioned by an individual dressed in a police uniform. In the video, the suspect allegedly confessed that the content was staged to attract attention and boost engagement online. He reportedly stated that the herder featured in the video was a cattle rearer who usually grazed cattle behind his shop and had initially declined to participate before later agreeing.
The suspect also claimed he could neither read nor write, adding that his apprentice wrote the caption attached to the video before it was uploaded online. He further said he had produced only two similar videos, one posted on Monday and another on Wednesday.
Police Investigation and Warning
Police authorities recovered photographs and video materials linked to the alleged false publication during preliminary investigations. According to the report, the suspect is expected to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Abeokuta, for further investigation.
The police also warned residents against circulating false information capable of causing panic or public disorder, urging the public to verify information before sharing content on social media.
