Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a man, Johnson Elleh, for allegedly producing and circulating a false security alert video that claimed kidnappers and bandits were operating along the Owode-Idiroko axis of the state, a development police say was capable of causing widespread panic and undermining public confidence in security agencies.
The arrest was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, who said investigations revealed that the viral video was deliberately fabricated and circulated to mislead members of the public.
According to the Command, the video came under immediate scrutiny after it gained traction on social media, prompting detectives to launch a swift investigation to verify the claims contained in it.
Police findings, however, established that the video was false and misleading, with no evidence of any kidnapping or banditry incident occurring along the Owode-Idiroko corridor or its surrounding communities as portrayed in the footage.
The Command further revealed that the suspect featured prominently in the video and was subsequently identified and tracked down by investigators, leading to his arrest.
Preliminary investigations indicated that Elleh intentionally created and circulated the false narrative for attention and content creation purposes.
Police said his actions had the potential to trigger unnecessary public alarm, disrupt social order and weaken public trust in the state’s security architecture.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to deliberately producing and disseminating the misleading content to generate online engagement and public reaction.
The Command said investigations are ongoing and that the suspect will be charged to court upon completion of the process.
Condemning the spread of fake news and false security alerts, the police warned individuals and groups against creating, publishing or sharing unverified security-related information, stressing that such acts pose a threat to public peace and safety.
“The Command will continue to identify, arrest, investigate and prosecute all persons found culpable, irrespective of status or motive,” the statement said.
The police also reassured residents that Ogun State remains safe, peaceful and secure, urging the public to remain calm, go about their lawful activities without fear and rely only on verified information from official sources.
Residents were encouraged to report emergencies and obtain credible information through the Command’s Gateway Shield toll-free line, 0800 000 9111, and emergency numbers 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369, and 0708 497 2994.
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