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Ojelabi said the suspect published a video via his Facebook account on Monday, falsely claiming that bandits had invaded the state.
By Olajide Idowu
A 22-year-old man who published a video on his Facebook account alleging that bandits have invaded Osun State was arrested for allegedly spreading false information
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, the spokesperson for Osun Police Command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi said in a statement on Friday.
According to him, rather than bandits’ invasion, the video footage shared by the suspect actually showed members of the public restraining an individual with a mental illness.
Ojelabi said 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.
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.(NAN)
