The Osun State Police Command has apprehended a 22‑year‑old man for allegedly circulating false claims of a bandit invasion in the state.
In a statement issued on Friday in Osogbo, the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the arrest.
He explained that the suspect was detained for spreading misleading information on social media, an offence in violation of Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015, as well as other applicable laws.
According to him, the suspect published a video via his Facebook account on Monday, falsely claiming that bandits had invaded the state.
He noted that the post triggered widespread panic among residents, adding that preliminary investigations revealed the video was misleading.
“The footage shared by the suspect actually showed members of the public restraining an individual with a mental illness,” Ojelabi said.
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He further disclosed that although the suspect was arrested on Wednesday, he was later released following a passionate appeal by his aged parents.
The spokesperson added that the suspect has since tendered a public apology and was warned against repeating such actions.
Ojelabi said the Osun Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, cautioned the public against spreading unverified information capable of inciting fear or disrupting public peace.
He reaffirmed the Command’s uncompromising stance against the misuse of digital platforms for the dissemination of harmful misinformation.
