The Ogun State Police Command has reportedly arrested a man accused of staging and sharing a fake bandit attack video online in a bid to attract attention and grow his social media following.
The incident was reported on May 23, according to Zagazola Makama, a counterinsurgency-focused publication, after a man identified as Ayinla Sodiq from Obasanjo Ota lodged a complaint at a police station alongside the suspect, Qowiy Oloyede, from Oriya Sokoto Road in Atan Ota.
The complainant alleged that the suspect created and circulated a misleading TikTok video falsely portraying a bandit invasion in the Atan Ota area.
The publication stated that the Divisional Police Officer immediately interrogated the suspect, who allegedly admitted to fabricating the content to gain online traction and increase followers.
In a widely shared video, the suspect was seen kneeling while being questioned by a man dressed in a police uniform.
During the interrogation, he reportedly confessed that the entire clip was staged for online engagement and virality.
He also explained that the herder featured in the video was a cattle rearer who normally grazes animals behind his shop and had initially refused participation before later agreeing.
The suspect further claimed he is illiterate and said the caption used on the post was written by his apprentice.
He added that he had only produced two similar videos, one on Monday and another on Wednesday.
Police authorities were said to have recovered photographic and video evidence linked to the incident during preliminary investigations.
The publication also noted that the suspect is expected to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) in Abeokuta for further questioning.
Authorities reportedly warned residents against the spread of false information that could trigger panic or disrupt public peace, urging careful verification before sharing content online.
