Gbolahan Balogun --
Ilorin, Kwara State — In an unfortunate turn of events, popular Ilorin-based eatery owner, Mr. Ibigbemi Oloruntobi, found himself falsely implicated in a recent homicide investigation, a development that police authorities have firmly debunked.
Mr. Oloruntobi, an alumnus of the University of Ilorin and a 2011 graduate of Physics, operates the thriving restaurant Item7 (Go), which has become a trusted establishment in Kwara and Oyo states.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Victor Olaiya, addressed the issue during a press briefing, stating that rumours had erroneously linked Oloruntobi to the murder of a motorcyclist in the Asunlere area, in Oke-Oyi.
“There is no connection between Mr. Oloruntobi and this crime. He is an upstanding businessperson in this community,” Olaiya clarified.
The rumour, initially spread on social media, allegedly originated from Abdulwakeel Olajuwon, a 36-year-old social media influencer behind the Weaky TV brand.
This misinformation caused significant distress for Oloruntobi, whose restaurant and broader business interests were put at risk by the false claims.
In his statement, CP Olaiya emphasised the potential harm of such reckless accusations, not only to individuals but also to businesses that rely on public trust.
“Baseless rumours can lead to unwarranted financial losses, jeopardise jobs, and unfairly tarnish the reputation of innocent people,” he stated, urging the public to refrain from spreading unverified information.
Under Nigeria’s Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, spreading false information intended to incite harm or cause public disorder is a serious offence. Olajuwon, the alleged originator of the rumour, has been detained and will be arraigned on charges of misinformation.
The police commissioner emphasised that his briefing on the issue underscored the critical role of responsible communication in preventing reputational damage and ensuring the safety of community members.
“We remind citizens that disseminating unverified information, especially in sensitive situations, is not only irresponsible but punishable by law.
"The police will take decisive action against those who deliberately mislead the public or disrupt peace", he said.
Misidentification of a Farmer and Incident of Vigilante-Led Conspiracy and Mischief
The Kwara State Police Command also addressed another alarming incident of mistaken identity and vigilantism, which has added to the tension surrounding the homicide case.
In a related situation, a farmer was pursued by villagers and motorcycle operators (Okada riders) who mistakenly assumed he was involved in the crime.
The innocent farmer sought refuge at the Oke-Oyi Police Division, where his vehicle was vandalized.
Villagers, led by two suspects, Yusuf Abdulkareem (male, 22) and Jaiyeola Fatai (female, 40), stoned and damaged the vehicle, leading to their arrest on charges of Criminal Conspiracy, Disturbance of Public Peace, Causing Grievous Hurt, and Mischief.
In response, CP Olaiya issued a strong appeal to the public to refrain from acting on unverified information or engaging in vigilante actions that could endanger innocent lives. He stated that law enforcement agents will take strict measures against individuals or groups participating in acts of vigilantism or public disorder.
The police commissioner urged the public to rely only on verified information from law enforcement channels emphasising the importance of allowing the police to conduct thorough investigations without interference.
The CP reiterated the commitment of the Kwara State Police Command to bringing all responsible parties to the crime to justice.
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