A 25-year-old fashion designer, Kowiu Oloyede, has confessed to creating and posting a misleading TikTok video falsely claiming that bandits had invaded Atan-Ota community in Ogun State.
Naija News reports that Oloyede was arrested on Saturday, May 23, 2026, by the state police command after the panic-inducing video went viral.
The suspect, who owns a tailoring shop in the community, was subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Eleweran for further investigation.
Police described the video as misleading and capable of causing public unrest.
Speaking in a video interview with the police spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, Oloyede admitted that he created the content solely to grow his social media presence.
“I am the owner of the account. I created it for my business in January 2026,” he said.
Explaining his motivation, he added: “I didn’t hear information from anywhere. I was scrolling TikTok one day when I saw the bandit sound and people using it.
That is why I also used it to gain followers because the likes of Peller started somewhere. I don’t know if my way will open there too.”
Oloyede said he recorded the video in a bush behind his shop, noting that similar clips were being made in such locations by other users.
He disclosed that he was assisted by some young men who occasionally stay at his shop.
The suspect also attempted a follow-up video, in which he pretended to be begging a Fulani herder, portraying the man as a bandit. However, he later deleted the video after realising it was inappropriate.
Oloyede revealed that the initial video significantly boosted his online presence.
“Before, I had 60 followers, but after, I have over 1,000 followers. The first video gave me 8,000 likes,” he said.
He added that an acquaintance encouraged him to continue producing such content, believing it could lead to success.
The Ogun State Police Command has, however, warned residents against spreading unverified information capable of inciting fear or disturbing public peace, reiterating its commitment to prosecuting individuals who use social media to spread falsehoods.
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