‘I wanted followers like Peller’ – Man behind fake Ogun bandit video confesses

A man arrested by the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly creating and circulating fake bandit attack videos on TikTok has admitted that he staged the clips in a bid to gain followers and become popular online like streamer Habeeb Hamzat, also known as “Peller”.

The suspect, identified as Kowiu Oloyede, spoke in a video interview posted by the Ogun State Police Command on X on Tuesday, where he was questioned by the police public relations officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi.

Speaking in Yoruba, with his comments translated into English, Oloyede introduced himself as a resident of Ibaragun in Ogun State and owner of the TikTok account which he said was created in January 2026 to showcase his fashion business.

“My name is Kowiu Oloyede. I am from Ibaragun in Ogun State, and I am 25 years old and a fashion designer,” he said.

Explaining how he came up with the controversial content, Oloyede said he stumbled on a trending “bandit” sound on TikTok while working in his shop and decided to imitate other creators using the same audio.

“I didn’t get information from anywhere. I was making clothes in my shop when I checked TikTok and saw a bandits trending sound. I saw that other people were using the sound too, so I decided to use it.

“I used it so I could get followers because people like Peller started from somewhere. Maybe God can help me from there. That was what I wanted to do, not knowing it would boomerang,” he said.

The suspect explained that he chose a bush behind his shop as the filming location because many other creators using the sound recorded their videos in bushes or deserted locations.

“Those using the sound were doing it inside the bush, some in their houses and streets. Since many did theirs in the bush, I also went to the bush behind my shop to create the video,” he stated.

Oloyede disclosed that some boys staying with him assisted him in producing the clips.

According to him, the first video posted on Monday quickly gained attention online, with viewers questioning whether the alleged attack was real.

He said he replied in the comment section that it was only content creation but later made another clip involving a Fulani herder.

“There’s this Fulani man who usually comes to my compound. When I saw his cows eating there, I got another inspiration to create another video like I wanted to steal in the Fulani man’s compound.

“I approached him and persuaded him. He initially declined, and while I was begging him, my brother was recording the moment, and I posted the video,” he said.

The suspect admitted that before the videos went viral, he had only about 60 followers on TikTok, but the clips pushed his followers beyond 1,000 within a short period.

He added that he was excited by the sudden attention and did not realise the videos were causing fear and panic among residents.

“I didn’t know the video was causing panic. I had nobody to tell me what I was doing was wrong,” he said.

The Ogun State Police Command had earlier confirmed the suspect’s arrest following complaints that he circulated misleading videos falsely claiming bandits had invaded Atan Ota community.

According to reports, the suspect allegedly confessed during interrogation that the videos were fabricated solely to gain social media attention and followers.

Police authorities also said photographs and video evidence linked to the fake content were recovered during preliminary investigations, while the suspect may be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, SCIID, Abeokuta, for further investigation.

The police warned content creators against spreading false information capable of creating public panic, stressing that online content must remain within the confines of the law.

The command also reassured residents that security agencies in Ogun State remain proactive in tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes.

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