A 25-year-old fashion designer, Kowiu Oloyede, who was arrested for allegedly filming and posting a fake TikTok video claiming that bandits had invaded the Atan-Ota community in Ogun State, has said he gained about 1,000 followers after the video and was unaware of its illegality.

Oloyede, who owns a tailoring shop in the community, was arrested on Saturday, May 23, 2026, by the state police command after the panic-triggering video went viral.

Police described the content as misleading and capable of causing public unrest.

The suspect has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.

Speaking in a video interview with the state police spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, Oloyede admitted creating the false content purely for social media growth.

“I am the owner of the account. I created it for my business in January 2026,” he said in a video posted by the command on Tuesday.

When asked about the inspiration behind the video, the suspect said, “I didn’t hear information from anywhere. I was scrolling TikTok one day when I saw the bandit sound and I saw people usinng that sound. That is why I also use 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 shot the video in a bush behind his shop.

“I saw many people online use the sound inside bush. Some use it in normal open place. I have bush at the back of my shop. That is why I use bush.”

He said he was assisted by some young men who occasionally stay at his shop.

“They work somewhere and stay at my place whenever they come back. I accommodate them.”

The suspect also attempted a follow-up video in which he was seen kneeling and begging a Fulani herder, while pretending the man was a bandit.

“When I see the first video did well, it gave me morale.

“There is one Fulani that came to charge at my shop… The Fulani refused when I talked to him about it. But I acted begging as he refused and the man was asking, ‘What is wrong with this man that is kneeling?’ My brother had recorded him as he was talking,” he said.

“I posted it, but deleted when I see that the video is not good.”

Oloyede disclosed that he gained significant traction from the first video.

“Before I had 60 followers, but after I have over 1,000 followers. The first video gave me 8,000 likes.”

He said he also received encouragement from an acquaintance after the initial post.

“When I did the video, someone told me that is how God uplift someone… The person encouraged me to do more videos. I don’t even know if it is a good thing or bad.”

The Ogun State Police Command warned residents against spreading unverified information, especially content capable of inciting fear or disrupting public peace, and reiterated its commitment to prosecuting individuals who use social media to spread falsehoods. (The PUNCH)

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