As insecurity grips Nigeria, Ogun State is battling a dangerous new frontier of terror, one manufactured not by bandits in the bushes, but by content creators behind smartphone screens.
Across the state, a deluge of social media content, fabricated WhatsApp voice notes, and recycled videos are weaponizing public anxiety and fueling panic.
In this report, Gift Oba exposes how the desperate chase for digital clout is disrupting public peace, mimicking national trauma, and landing its perpetrators in handcuffs.
The Tailor Who Stitched Terror
On Monday, May 18, 2026, 25-year-old Kowiu Oloyede woke up as just an ordinary tailor trying to make a living in the Atan area of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area. By noon, however, he had stitched together a fabric of terror that threw an entire state, and the nation into panic.
Armed with nothing but a smartphone and a wild imagination, Oloyede manufactured a fake video claiming that armed bandits had invaded his community.
He posted the clip on his TikTok page, “Nice Boy,” showing himself in a bush with gunshot sounds playing in the background. The caption on the video reads: “Bandit is in Atan, help us ooo.” Within seconds, the video went viral.
What Oloyede thought was a harmless internet prank quickly transformed into a public safety nightmare. Driven by a desperate thirst for digital validation, the primary school certificate holder who had previously struggled with low visibility and a mere 60 followers suddenly watched his metrics skyrocket to over 291,000 views, 1,429 followers, and 10,600 likes.
Emboldened by the initial rush of clout, he posted a second video two days later, kneeling and pretending to plead for mercy from a herdsman after an imaginary kidnapping. Though he deleted the second clip within twenty-four hours, the psychological damage to the public was already done.
Today, Oloyede sits in police custody, serving as the stark, cautionary face of Nigeria’s escalating battle against digital misinformation.
Our correspondent learnt that the suspect, who confessed that he orchestrated the stunt to achieve the viral fame of popular online streamer, Peller, has been charged to court to face prosecution under the Cybercrimes Act, which criminalizes the intentional transmission of false messages to cause public panic.
The Endless Loop of Fake News
Oloyede’s stunt is not an isolated incident. It is part of an ongoing, structural crisis where engagement-driven social media platforms weaponize the collective trauma of a nation grappling with genuine security challenges.
On Tuesday June 2, panic swept through the Ota and Ifo axis of the state when viral WhatsApp messages claimed armed bandits were actively converging on secondary schools, including Oluke Community High School and Sango Ota High School.
Terrified parents abandoned their businesses and rushed to classrooms to withdraw their children.
To restore order, Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, issued an emergency broadcast clarifying that the state’s School Protection Squad had physically assessed the referenced locations and found them entirely secure and operational.
The Police command declared Ogun safe, urged residents to remain calm, avoid the spread of unverified information, and desist from actions capable of heightening unnecessary fear or tension within communities.
He said, “The Command states unequivocally that there has been no bandit attack, kidnapping incident, terrorist activity, or any form of security breach anywhere in Ogun State, including Oluke Community High School, Sango Ota High School (Ijoko axis), Fadunsin Area of Ijoko, Atan-Ota, Sango-Ota, Agbado, Ifo, and other adjoining communities”.
Yet, as quickly as the authorities put out one digital fire, another ignited.
On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, the police arrested another content creator, Mr. Johnson Elleh, for producing a deceptive security flier and video alleging imminent kidnapping networks along the Owode-Idiroko axis.
Much like Oloyede, Elleh admitted his alarming plea, “Nigerians, please… this is not a lie, it’s real”, was entirely fabricated for attention and content creation purposes.
In the video which carried a security alert flier, Elleh said, “Nigerians, please, this is an alert I got this morning. Those of us in Owode-Idiroko please, I beg you to share this video to every whatsapp group in Ogun state. We got an alert that kidnappers are around Owode-Idiroko, everyone should be alert.
“We are going to bring you information about what is happening in your vicinity …..this is not a lie, it’s real. Please share the video everywhere….’’
The police spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, noted that the viral video was immediately subjected to scrutiny and findings revealed that it was false, misleading, and deliberately designed to create fear, panic, and anxiety among members of the public.
Recall how residents of Ogun, Lagos, and Oyo states were thrown into sudden panic on Saturday, May 23, by a viral message alleging a strict 9:00 PM curfew.
The short text message, which spread like wildfire across social media, read: “Attention !!! If you are in or around Abeokuta, please ensure you get home on or before 9:00pm Today. If it is already 9:00pm, kindly stay wherever you are for your safety.”
DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi described the report as misleading and capable of causing unnecessary chaos, advising residents to disregard unverified reports and continue with their lawful activities without fear.
Recycled Videos and Fabricated Voice Notes
Beyond fake content and messages, the state has been flooded with recycled videos and doctored voice notes, all aimed at spreading falsehoods and inciting panic among residents.
In April, the state’s security apparatus was forced to scramble after two separate voice notes, one in Yoruba, the other in English flooded WhatsApp, claiming bandits had relocated to the Lusada area of the Ado-odo local government. In the first audio, a man portraying himself as an Islamic cleric warned residents in Yoruba that bandits were hiding in the community.
The second voice note, recorded in English, forwarded the cleric’s warning to another group, saying: “Hello sir, hello ma, hello everyone. Please, this thing I sent to the platform, the man, an Islamic cleric, was saying in Yoruba that bandits are now in Lusada…..So, this is an alert to everyone to be very, very careful and vigilant…”
To restore order, Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni dispelled the rumors and promptly deployed the Area Commander of Agbara, ACP Folashade Tanaruno, to take charge of the situation and reassure residents that the command remains “vigilant, proactive, and fully committed.”
Yet, the digital pipeline kept churning out fear. That same month, a viral drone video surfaced online, purportedly showing a kidnapper’s hideout deep within an Ogun State forest.
The drone footage accompanied by a male voice said, “We are trying to show you some video footage of the hideout of kidnappers here in Ogun State. We were able to capture this with our drone cameras, so people should be mindful of their movement henceforth.
“Yes, this is a hideout. Can you see that, a lot of people are being detained by their captors……”
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, told DAILY POST that the footage did not even originate from Nigeria.
Babaseyi described the video as misleading and false, adding that credible fact-checks revealed that the footage was recorded in Kenya during an operation involving cattle rustlers and was captured by a General Service Unit (GSU) drone.
He stated that the video was first uploaded online in 2022 and has since been deliberately recirculated with a false narrative to create panic and misinform the public about the security situation in the state.
DAILY POST reports that despite debunking the viral video, it resurfaced on Sunday.
The Command again urged residents to ignore the video, rely on official sources for security information, and refrain from sharing unverified content.
“The Ogun State Police Command therefore reiterates, for the umpteenth time, that the video is fake and should be disregarded.
“The persistent recycling of already-debunked content serves no purpose other than creating unnecessary panic and undermining public confidence,” the PPRO stated.
Ogun Government Backs Police Crackdown
Ogun State Government has also dismissed the viral reports alleging that Fulani herdsmen, Boko Haram insurgents, and other terrorist groups are planning to invade the state.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Kayode Akinmade, said security intelligence confirms that Ogun remains safe and secure.
Akinmade stated that the arrest of those spreading the falsehoods would serve as a deterrent to others seeking to incite panic or disrupt public peace.
“It is clear that some individuals are attempting to exploit security challenges being experienced in other parts of the country to create a climate of fear in Ogun State. This is highly irresponsible and capable of causing unnecessary anxiety among residents.
“Security agencies have identified and apprehended some of the individuals responsible for spreading these false narratives. They are currently facing prosecution, and this should serve as a clear warning to anyone seeking to deliberately spread misinformation, create panic, or disrupt public peace,” Akinmade stated.
Reiterating the Abiodun-led administration’s commitment to public safety, Akinmade warned that the government would not hesitate to take decisive action against anyone attempting to disrupt the peace and stability currently enjoyed in the state.
He added that the government is also working with security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering and early warning systems at the grassroots, while urging residents to rely only on official channels for updates.
From Clout Chasing to National Crisis
The motivations behind these fabrications vary, spanning from monetary fraud to extreme attention-seeking.
Recall that in February 2026, a TikTok user named Abigeal Nsikak, known online as “Mirabel,” triggered widespread outrage by claiming she had been sexually assaulted, slashed with razor blades, and poisoned by an unknown intruder.
Following inconsistent statements, Mirabel eventually confessed during a public call with social media influencer, VeryDarkMan that she had entirely fabricated the horrific ordeal to extract financial sympathy donations from emotional online supporters.
While Mirabel’s fraud was driven by financial gain, the historical record shows that misinformation during crises can cost lives.
During the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Nigeria, a single viral WhatsApp broadcast outpaced the virus itself.
The instructions in the text were simple, specific, and deadly: “Breathe, bathe, and drink highly concentrated hot salt water to immunize yourself against the raging Ebola outbreak.”
Tragically, that single piece of fake news led to the hospitalization of dozens of people and caused at least two deaths in Nigeria due to extreme salt poisoning.
What The Law Says
While Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees citizens’ fundamental right to freedom of expression and the press, protecting the right to hold opinions and impart information without interference, Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act, however, criminalizes the transmission of false messages intended to harass, cause public panic, or breakdown of law and order.
Section 24, of the Cybercrimes Act states that, knowingly sending a message via computer systems that is grossly offensive, pornographic, or of an indecent, obscene, or menacing character, or causing needless anxiety is a crime. The sentence on conviction for such an offense is a fine of up to N7,000,000 (Seven Million Naira Only) or imprisonment for up to three years or both.
Initiating the transmission of false messages calculated to cause public breakdown, unnecessary anxiety, or psychological distress attracts criminal prosecution with multi-year custodial sentences upon conviction.
In an interview with DAILY POST, Dr Kayode Akinsola, a constitutional lawyer, warned that spreading fake news is illegal, despite the freedom of expression guaranteed by Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution.
According to him, while Nigerians have the right to hold opinions and criticize the government, that right is not absolute and comes with legal limitations.
The doctor of business law and policy consultant noted that fake news can trigger panic and disrupt public peace, stressing that Ogun State has enjoyed relative safety and should not allow misinformation to overshadow daily life.
“If they are constructive criticism against the government where they are actually lacking, that is welcome. But for someone to spread fake news, that is illegal,” he said.
He advised content creators and social media users to know their limits and avoid posting unverified information capable of setting society into panic.
“You have the right to freedom of expression but that right is not absolute. That right has its own limitations. You can’t say because you have that right then you go on social media and begin to spread fake news.
“When we talk about creating online content we should know our limitations. Anything that is capable of setting the society into panic, a responsible citizen should not do that,” the lawyer added, warning that offenders risk the full wrath of the law.
Dr. Akinsola also linked the surge in fake news to political activities and cautioned youths against allowing themselves to be manipulated into spreading falsehoods that could destabilize the state.
“We know that all of these are actually happening because of the election and as such, youths should not become tools in the hands of politicians, this is very essential and important” he added.
Public Safety Is Not A Tool For Content Creation – Police Warns
While every resident has their freedom of speech and expression, the Police Spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi explained that the law draws a clear distinction between responsible reporting and deliberate misinformation.
Babaseyi argued that where investigations establish that an individual knowingly fabricates, manipulates, or circulates false security information capable of causing panic, disrupting public peace, misleading the public, or obstructing security operations, such conduct may attract criminal liability under relevant laws.
The Command’s mouthpiece warned that public safety is not a tool for content creation and any individual who deliberately spreads fake news to create tension and gain popularity must be ready to face the consequences that comes with it.
“The CP’s position is straightforward: citizens acting in good faith have nothing to fear, but individuals who deliberately weaponize falsehood to create tension, mislead the public, or gain popularity online must be prepared to face the consequences of their actions.
“The Command will continue to uphold the rule of law while ensuring that legitimate concerns raised by residents are treated with the seriousness they deserve,” he added.
He noted that beyond enforcement, the CP has directed that public enlightenment should accompany prosecution arguing that the objective is not merely to punish offenders but also to educate the public on the dangers of spreading unverified information.
“CP Ojajuni, who previously served twice as Police Public Relations Officer in Lagos and Adamawa States respectively, firmly believes that public trust is built not only through enforcement but also through consistent communication, accessibility, and partnership with the people.
“Under his leadership, the Command has remained visible, responsive, and proactive in addressing public concerns while strengthening the bond between the police and the communities they serve,” he added.
The police image maker assured that the command under the leadership of CP Bode Ojajun will continue to protect both public safety and the constitutional rights of citizens, encouraging residents to report suspicious activities without fear, adding that community participation remains a vital component of crime prevention.
He reiterated that the command’s commitment in ensuring that Ogun is a safe and secure environment for residents, investors, students, and visitors, asserting that it will continue to combine intelligence-led policing, technological innovation, strategic stakeholder engagement, community partnership, and lawful enforcement to ensure that the state Ogun State remains safe, secure, and attractive for socio-economic development.
“The Command encourages content creators and bloggers to verify information through official channels before publication and to partner with security agencies in promoting factual and responsible reporting. CP Ojajuni remains committed to maintaining Ogun State as a secure state.
“He therefore urges all content creators to embrace responsible digital citizenship, verify information before publication, and work collaboratively with security agencies in promoting peace, stability, and public confidence,” Babaseyi stated
Ogun, other states wage war against fake news, as content creators spread terror