Law enforcement detains individual in connection with staged abduction footage in Ogun

The Ogun State Police Command has taken a man, identified as Johnson Elleh, into custody for allegedly creating and circulating a false video that claimed kidnapping and banditry activities were occurring along the Owode-Idiroko corridor of the state.

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Investigations conducted by the Command revealed that the video, which went viral, was fabricated with the intention of sparking fear, panic, and anxiety among residents, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi.

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A thorough investigation was immediately launched by the Command after the video surfaced online, with the police subjecting its contents to scrutiny to verify the claims made in the video.

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Findings from the investigation revealed that the video was false, misleading, and designed to create fear, panic, and anxiety among the public, with extensive verification exercises confirming that no kidnapping or banditry incident occurred in the Owode-Idiroko axis or surrounding communities as portrayed in the video.

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As a result of the investigation, detectives identified Elleh, who was featured in the video, leading to his arrest, with preliminary findings indicating that he deliberately fabricated and circulated the false narrative for attention and content creation purposes.

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The suspect's actions were deemed capable of causing unnecessary public alarm, disrupting social order, and undermining confidence in the state's security architecture, according to the Command.

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During interrogation, the suspect confessed to intentionally creating and disseminating the misleading content to generate online engagement and public reaction, with the police stating that the investigation is ongoing and the suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.

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The Command condemned the growing trend of fake news and false security alerts, warning that individuals involved in creating, publishing, or recirculating unverified security-related information would face prosecution.

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The police spokesman warned that the deliberate spread of fake news, false security alerts, and other forms of misinformation capable of causing fear, panic, and confusion among law-abiding citizens constitutes a threat to public peace and security and will attract the full weight of the law.

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The Command will continue to identify, arrest, investigate, and prosecute offenders regardless of their status or motives, according to the police spokesman.

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While reassuring residents of their safety, the police maintained that Ogun State remains peaceful and secure, with the Command acknowledging the concerns of residents who may have been alarmed by the misleading video.

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The police urged members of the public to report emergencies and obtain credible information through official communication channels, reiterating the Command's commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.