Osun Police arrest man over false bandit invasion social media alarm
Osun State Police Arrest 22-Year-Old for Spreading False Security Information on Social Media
The Osun State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old man, Odetayo Adebayo Samuel, of Ila Orangun, for allegedly disseminating false security information on social media, which incited panic among residents.
In a statement issued on Friday in Osogbo, Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan, through spokesperson DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the arrest.
According to the statement, Samuel allegedly posted a video on Facebook on June 1, 2026, using the account name ‘Odetayo Oluwasegun,’ in which he claimed that bandits had invaded Osun State. The video quickly spread across various social media platforms, generating considerable fear among the public.
Investigations revealed that the claims made in the video were false. The footage in question did not show a bandit attack, but rather depicted individuals restraining a person experiencing a mental health crisis.
“The publication triggered widespread panic among residents. Preliminary investigations found the video to be misleading,” the statement indicated.
Samuel was apprehended on June 3, 2026, and taken into custody for further investigation regarding the incident. Following appeals from his elderly parents and a public apology made by Samuel, he was subsequently warned and released.
Commissioner Gotan urged the public to refrain from circulating unverified information that could incite fear or disrupt public order. He emphasized the police’s commitment to combating the misuse of digital platforms for spreading misinformation, encouraging residents to verify information before sharing it online.
