Men from the Ogun State Police Command have arrested one Wakilu Ogundairo for allegedly creating a Whatsapp voice note in which he falsely reported a Boko Haram terrorist invasion of Imosan Ijebu with a stockpile of weaponry, which he then distributed on social media, causing panic among law-abiding residents.
According to DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, the state police command’s spokesperson, the suspect was apprehended after the voice note went viral and people of various professions began calling the command’s emergency number, expressing concern for the safety of their loved ones in Ijebu ode and the state of Ogun as a whole.
In a statement, DSP Abimbola said, “The commissioner of police, CP Lanre Bankole, then quickly directed the DPO obalende division to move into the area and find out the authenticity of the said WhatsApp voice note.
“In compliance with the CP’S order, the DPO Obalende division, SP Salami Murphy, moved into the area for thorough investigation. In the course of the investigation, it was discovered that the only people in that location were farm labourers from Benue state who are carrying out their legitimate business devoid of any form of violence.
“Having found out that the viral voice note was a false alarm, the DPO and his detectives there and then embarked on technical investigation which eventually led them to the hideout of the man behind it.
“He was subsequently arrested and taken to custody. On interrogation, he confessed that he only make the voice note to scare members of the public and that there is no invasion anywhere.”
Meanwhile, CP Lanre Bankole, the Commissioner of Police, has ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the suspect’s past behaviour in order to charge him in court as soon as possible.