Police Arrest Man For ‘Staging Fake Bandit Attack Video’ To Gain TikTok Followers

The Ogun State Police Command has reportedly arrested a man over claims that he staged a fake bandit attack and shared the video online to attract attention.

A counterinsurgency platform, Zagazola Makama, said the case came to light on May 23 when a resident, Ayinla Sodiq from Obasanjo Ota, brought the suspect, Qowiy Oloyede of Oriya Sokoto Road in Atan Ota, to a police station.

Sodiq accused him of producing and posting a misleading TikTok video that falsely suggested bandits had attacked the Atan Ota area.

The report stated that the Divisional Police Officer questioned the suspect, who allegedly admitted that the video was staged purely to gain followers on social media.

In the video, the man was seen kneeling while being questioned by someone in a police uniform.

During the exchange, he reportedly confessed to creating the content just to trend and increase his audience.

He also explained that the man seen in the video was a herder who usually grazed cattle behind his shop.

According to him, the herder initially refused to take part but later agreed.

The suspect added that he cannot read or write, saying it was his apprentice who helped draft the caption used when the video was posted.

He further claimed he had only made two similar videos, one earlier in the week and another a few days later.

Police sources said officers have already obtained photos and video materials connected to the case as part of their initial findings.

The suspect is expected to be moved to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department in Abeokuta for further investigation.

The police also warned the public against sharing unverified information that could trigger fear or unrest, urging people to confirm details before posting content online.

KanyiDaily also reported how police arrested one Abdullahi Saliu for allegedly posing as a Nigerian Army colonel to defraud unsuspecting victims of N1.377 million in a fake job recruitment scheme in Ondo.