Ogun Man Arrested for Fake Bandit Attack Video Made for Followers

ABEOKUTA — Ogun State Police have arrested a man for creating and posting a fabricated video of a bandit attack on social media. The suspect, identified as Qawiyu Oloyede, staged the fake attack footage and uploaded it online to grow his social media following. The video caused widespread fear and panic among Nigerians who believed it was real.

Police spokesperson Omolola Odutola confirmed the arrest on Sunday. She said officers tracked Oloyede after the video went alarmed members of the public filed viral and multiple reports. Investigations confirmed that the footage was entirely staged and did not depict any real event.

“This is a reckless and criminal act. Posting fabricated security content to gain social media followers, knowing it will cause public fear, is not a harmless prank. It is a serious offence,” Odutola said.

The video reportedly showed individuals simulating a bandit attack, complete with dramatic acting and fake distress calls. Many viewers widely shared it on WhatsApp and Twitter/X, believing it depicted a real incident. Several communities in Ogun State reportedly went on alert following the video’s circulation.

The Growing Fake News Problem

The Oloyede case is part of a disturbing pattern of Nigerians creating and sharing fake security content for personal gain. Several similar cases have emerged in different states over the past year, with individuals fabricating bomb threats, bandit attacks, and disease outbreaks to attract social media attention.

The consequences of such content are serious. False security videos divert police and military resources to verify non-existent threats. They cause genuine psychological trauma in communities already living under real security pressure. They also undermine trust in legitimate security warnings when real events occur.

Furthermore, the Cybercrimes Act provides legal grounds for prosecuting individuals who spread false information that causes public alarm. Several convictions have been secured under this law in recent years, though critics say enforcement remains inconsistent across states.

Police Warning to Social Media Users

The Ogun State Police Command used Oloyede’s arrest to issue a broader warning. Officers said any individual found creating, distributing, or amplifying false security content will face prosecution under Nigerian law. They said the force has enhanced its social media monitoring capacity.

The police also urged Nigerians to verify security information before sharing it. They said the public should check information against official police, army, and state government channels before forwarding any content depicting violence, attacks, or emergency situations.

Oloyede is currently in police custody and will be charged in court. The specific charges have not yet been publicly disclosed, but prosecutors are expected to cite provisions of the Cybercrimes Act related to causing public alarm through digital content. The case will be closely watched as a test of how Nigerian courts treat social media-driven public disorder.