The Osun State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old man for allegedly spreading false information about a bandits’ invasion of the state.
This is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Osogbo by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi.
According to Ojelabi, the suspect was apprehended for disseminating misleading content on social media, an offence contrary to Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015, and other relevant laws.
He was reported to have published a video via his Facebook account on Monday, falsely claiming that bandits had invaded the state.
Ojelabi 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.
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 reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance stance on the misuse of digital platforms to circulate harmful falsehoods.