The Osun State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old man for allegedly spreading false information on social media about a supposed invasion of the state by bandits, an action that caused fear and panic among residents.
The arrest was announced by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, in a statement issued on Friday in Osogbo, the state capital.
According to the police, the suspect used his Facebook account to share a video on Monday in which he falsely claimed that bandits had entered Osun State. The video quickly gained attention online and sparked concern among residents who feared that armed criminals had launched attacks in parts of the state.
Ojelabi explained that the suspect’s action violated provisions of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015, particularly laws that prohibit the spread of false and misleading information through digital platforms.
He said preliminary investigations conducted by the police showed that the video did not depict a bandit attack or invasion as claimed by the suspect.
According to the police spokesperson, the footage actually showed members of the public restraining a man believed to be suffering from a mental illness.
“The suspect published a video on his Facebook account and falsely claimed that bandits had invaded Osun State. The post generated panic among residents. Our investigation revealed that the video was misleading and did not support the claim made by the suspect,” Ojelabi stated.
The police disclosed that the suspect was arrested on Wednesday following investigations into the viral post. However, he was later released after his elderly parents appealed passionately to the authorities.
Ojelabi said the young man has since admitted wrongdoing and publicly apologised for his actions.
The command also warned him against engaging in similar conduct in the future, stressing that the spread of false information can have serious consequences for public safety and security.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the growing challenge of misinformation and fake news on social media platforms across Nigeria.
In recent years, security agencies have repeatedly expressed concern over the circulation of unverified reports, especially those relating to insecurity, terrorism, kidnapping and communal violence. Such reports often spread rapidly online and can create unnecessary fear among citizens.
Osun State, like many states in the South-West, has experienced occasional security concerns, including incidents involving kidnappers and criminal gangs. However, authorities have consistently maintained that residents should rely on verified information from official sources rather than rumours circulated on social media.
The Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, used the opportunity to caution members of the public against sharing information that has not been verified.
According to Ojelabi, the commissioner warned that false reports capable of causing fear, confusion or public disorder would not be tolerated by the command.
He urged residents to confirm the authenticity of information before posting or forwarding it on social media platforms.
The commissioner also reminded citizens that digital platforms should be used responsibly and not as tools for spreading rumours or creating unnecessary tension within communities.
“The public should refrain from circulating unverified information capable of inciting fear or disturbing public peace,” the statement quoted him as saying.
He further reiterated the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order across the state and ensuring that individuals who deliberately spread harmful falsehoods are held accountable under the law.
The Cybercrimes Act, which was enacted to address offences committed through computers and digital networks, provides penalties for individuals who knowingly spread false information that could cause harm, panic or disruption to public order.
Law enforcement agencies have increasingly relied on the law to tackle cases involving online fraud, cyberstalking, identity theft and the deliberate dissemination of fake news.
The Osun police command said it would continue to monitor online activities and take appropriate action against individuals who use digital platforms to spread misinformation capable of threatening public peace and security.