The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old tailor, Kowiu Oloyede, for posting a TikTok video that falsely indicated a bandit invasion in the Atan Ota area of the state. The suspect admitted that his sole motivation was to gain followers on the social media platform.
Arrest and Transfer to SCID
According to the police, Oloyede was apprehended on May 23, 2026, by officers from the Atan Ota Division after intelligence linked him to the viral video. The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Eleweran, Abeokuta, for a thorough investigation. The police also released a video of the suspect's interview on their official X handle, @OgunPoliceNG, on Tuesday, May 26, where he detailed how the video was made.
Suspect's Explanation
In the interview, Oloyede stated that he had not received any report about bandits or security threats. He explained that while working in his tailoring shop, he noticed a trending TikTok sound associated with bandit-related content. He decided to join the trend to gain online attention. "I used it so I could get followers… maybe God can help me from there," he said in Yoruba. He added that he did not anticipate the negative consequences.
Oloyede noted that many users were already posting similar videos using the same sound in various locations, including bush areas, streets, and homes. This influenced his decision to record his version in a bush behind his shop. He claimed he was unaware that the video could cause panic and that no one advised him against it.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
The police have not confirmed any actual bandit presence in the Atan Ota area but emphasized that spreading false information on social media is a serious concern, especially when it incites fear among residents. The investigation at the SCID in Eleweran is ongoing.
In a related incident, the Kwara State Police Command dismissed viral claims of unlawful detention of a 16-year-old girl, explaining that she was lawfully detained for assisting her wanted brother in evading arrest. She was later released to her guardian. Additionally, the Anambra State Police Command arrested Assistant Superintendent of Police Newton Isokpehi after a viral video showed him threatening to shoot anyone filming him on duty. Internal disciplinary proceedings and a drug test have been ordered.
