The Ogun State Police Command has reportedly arrested a man accused of producing and circulating a fake bandit attack video on social media in a bid to attract followers and gain online attention.
The incident was reported by counterinsurgency publication, Zagazola Makama, which identified the suspect as Qowiy Oloyede of Oriya Sokoto Road, Atan Ota.
According to the report, the suspect was brought to a police station on May 23 by one Ayinla Sodiq from Obasanjo Ota, who accused him of spreading false information online.
The complainant alleged that Oloyede created and shared a misleading TikTok video claiming that bandits had invaded the Atan Ota area of Ogun State.
Zagazola Makama reported that the Divisional Police Officer questioned the suspect after the complaint was lodged, during which he allegedly admitted fabricating the video to increase his social media following.
In a separate viral clip circulating online, the suspect was seen kneeling while being questioned by a man dressed in police uniform.
During the interrogation, he reportedly confessed that the content was staged solely to gain attention and trend on social media platforms.
The suspect also explained that the herder featured in the video was a cattle rearer who usually grazed cows behind his shop and had initially declined to participate before later agreeing.
He further claimed that he could neither read nor write, stating that the caption accompanying the viral post was written by his apprentice.
According to the report, the suspect admitted producing only two similar videos, one on Monday and another on Wednesday.
Police authorities were also said to have recovered photographs and video materials linked to the alleged fake publication during preliminary investigations.
The report added that the suspect may be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department in Abeokuta for further investigation.
The police reportedly warned residents against spreading false or unverified information capable of creating fear and public disorder, urging social media users to verify content before sharing it online.