The Ekiti State Police Command has apprehended a man identified as Sunday Olawale for allegedly circulating a misleading video on social media claiming that bandits had invaded Are Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s spokesperson, Sunday Abutu, disclosed the arrest in a statement issued on Tuesday in Ado Ekiti, stressing that no bandit attack occurred in Are Ekiti or any other part of the state.
According to the police, Olawale was arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad on June 14 at the Ekute area of Ado Ekiti over allegations of cyberstalking and dissemination of false information capable of causing public panic and disrupting law and order.
Abutu explained that the suspect was linked to a video that circulated widely on social media on June 12, alleging that armed bandits had stormed Are Ekiti. Investigations later revealed that the claim was untrue.
He stated that during interrogation, the suspect admitted to sharing the false report online but failed to provide any convincing reason for his actions.
“The Command wishes to reiterate that there was no bandit invasion in Are Ekiti or anywhere in Ekiti State,” the police spokesman said.
The statement added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Michael Falade, warned residents against spreading unverified information capable of creating fear and unrest among members of the public.
Falade urged social media users and the general public to always verify the authenticity of information before sharing it, noting that the command would not tolerate the dissemination of fake news or any content capable of threatening public peace and security.
The police assured residents of the state of their commitment to maintaining law and order and urged citizens to cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities through appropriate channels.