The Nigeria Immigration Service on Monday announced the interception of social media personality, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, at the Seme border while attempting to flee the country.
Bobrisky has been named a person of interest in an ongoing investigation into recent public controversies.
In a statement released by the NIS Public Relations Officer, the service disclosed that Bobrisky was apprehended during a routine border check.
“The Service wishes to inform the public that Okuneye Idris is a person of interest over recent issues of public concern,” the statement read.
The NIS further assured the public of its commitment to upholding the integrity of Nigeria’s borders. “In keeping with its commitment to securing the borders, the Nigeria Immigration Service intercepted Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, otherwise known as Bobrisky, at the Seme border over an attempt to exit the country,” the agency noted. “He is undergoing interrogation and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.”
The controversy surrounding Bobrisky gained significant attention in April 2024 when the social media figure was sentenced to six months in prison by the Federal High Court in Lagos for naira abuse.
Although initially detained at Kirikiri Prison, reports later surfaced that Bobrisky had been discreetly transferred to a private location after just three weeks in custody.
These reports fueled allegations of bribery, with claims that officials were paid N15 million to secure his early release and provide preferential treatment.
The situation further escalated in September 2024 when an audio recording surfaced online, allegedly implicating Bobrisky in a defamation scandal involving human rights lawyer Femi Falana and his son, popular music artist Falz.
In the recording, Bobrisky purportedly claimed that the Falanas had approached him during his imprisonment, seeking N10 million in exchange for securing a presidential pardon.
Both Falana and Falz swiftly responded by issuing a cease-and-desist letter on October 16, 2024, demanding a public apology and retraction of the alleged defamatory statements.
Bobrisky, however, denied making such claims, stating that the leaked recording was not his doing and urging the Falanas to address the individual responsible for the leak instead.
The NIS concluded its statement by reiterating its commitment to professionalism, stating, “The Service assures the public that it will continue to be civil and professional in its statutory responsibility of manning the country’s borders.”