The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old tailor and aspiring TikTok content creator, Kowiu Oloyede, for allegedly raising a false alarm about a bandit invasion in Atan-Ota, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area
According to police reports and multiple credible sources, Oloyede recorded and posted a video from his backyard on May 23, falsely claiming that bandits had invaded the community.
The clip quickly went viral, sparking panic and tension among residents in the area already sensitive to security threats. His TikTok followers reportedly surged from around 60 to over 1,000 within hours.
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During interrogation, the suspect confessed that he staged the video purely for social media fame and engagement. He reportedly admitted wanting to gain popularity like popular TikToker Peller.
Encouraged by the initial attention, he allegedly attempted a second stunt by trying to stage a fake kidnapping video. He approached a local Fulani cattle rearer to participate, but the man refused. Oloyede then recorded himself kneeling and acting as a kidnapping victim before deleting the clip upon realizing the potential consequences.
Operatives from the Ogun State Police tracked and arrested him following a complaint. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Abeokuta for further prosecution.
Police spokesperson DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi confirmed the arrest, emphasising that the videos were fabricated and caused unnecessary fear. Authorities have reassured the public that no actual bandit attack or kidnapping occurred in the area. Netizens are however fuming at the cost of panic the fake news generated and urged the government to work on tackling fake news.
