BREAKING: Viral Videos Claim Osun Police Arrested 179 Suspected Thugs and ‘Imported Voters’ — No Official Confirmation

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Viral videos and social media posts have triggered fresh tension on election day in Osun State after claims emerged that police arrested 179 people allegedly linked to political thuggery and so-called “imported voters.”

The allegations, which began circulating widely on social media early Saturday, claim that 146 suspected thugs were arrested at the residence of Accord Party lawmaker Hon. Abiola Ibrahim, representing the Irewole-Isokan Constituency.

Another 33 people were allegedly arrested at Babs Hotel in Ede, the hometown of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

However, the Osun State Police Command had not officially confirmed the reported arrests as of the time of publication.

The social media posts also allege that some of those detained at the hotel included a 21-year-old artisan and a 64-year-old man said to be from Ekiti and Ondo states.

According to the unverified reports, some detainees allegedly claimed they had been brought into Osun to participate in the election and had been promised money to vote for Adeleke.

The posts further named Accord Party figure Muftau Abdulkareem in connection with the alleged payment arrangement.

A separate claim circulating online alleged that security operatives detained a suspected fake INEC official in Odeomu while allegedly carrying election materials.

None of these allegations has been independently established.

Several videos accompanying the claims have been widely shared on X and other social media platforms.

One of the shorter clips shows several men sitting on the floor inside what appears to be a room associated with a security facility. Other footage shows a man wearing a sports jersey speaking outdoors at night, while another video shows a large gathering of people seated beneath a covered structure.

The footage appears to be smartphone-recorded material and there are no obvious visual indications that the videos were generated using artificial intelligence or manipulated as deepfakes.

However, the authenticity of the footage does not automatically authenticate the narrative attached to it.

The videos do not independently establish the exact location or time of every scene, the identities of the people shown, the number of people arrested or the reasons for their detention.

They also do not independently confirm the alleged political sponsorship or purported confessions attributed to people in the videos.

As of Saturday morning, the Osun State Police Command had not released an official statement specifically confirming the alleged arrests at the residence of Abiola Ibrahim or Babs Hotel in Ede.

There was also no official confirmation available regarding the alleged arrest of a fake INEC official in Odeomu.

The lack of confirmation is particularly important because election-related claims can spread rapidly and potentially heighten tension among voters and political supporters.

The police have previously used official statements and verified social media channels to clarify viral incidents and correct misleading information circulating in Osun State.

Authorities have repeatedly urged residents to verify security-related claims before sharing them, particularly during politically sensitive periods.

The allegations are emerging as Osun State votes in a closely watched governorship election.

Security agencies have intensified preparations ahead of the poll amid concerns about political violence, vote-buying, thuggery, intimidation and attempts to disrupt the electoral process.

The police and other security agencies have also warned political actors and their supporters against acts capable of undermining the peaceful conduct of the election.

Previous police operations in Osun have resulted in arrests linked to alleged criminal activities, firearms and suspected electoral offences. However, available official information does not independently establish that those operations are connected to the specific claims currently circulating online.

The allegations involving Abiola Ibrahim and Muftau Abdulkareem also remain unsubstantiated.

There is currently no official confirmation that the people allegedly arrested at the two locations were “imported voters,” nor has any authority publicly established that they were transported into Osun to influence the election.

Similarly, the purported confessions described in social media posts have not been independently verified.

The use of labels such as “imported voters” should therefore be treated cautiously until security authorities or election officials establish the circumstances surrounding the individuals involved.

The rapid spread of the videos highlights the challenge authorities face in separating genuine security incidents from unverified narratives during election periods.

A video can be authentic while the description attached to it is inaccurate, incomplete or misleading.

For that reason, the reported figure of 179 arrests should not be treated as an established fact until the police or another competent authority confirms it.

The same applies to the allegations of political sponsorship, vote-buying and the presence of fake INEC personnel.

As voting continues across Osun State, attention is expected to remain focused on security incidents and the handling of sensitive election materials.

Voters are advised to rely on official information from the Nigeria Police Force, INEC and other authorised agencies before accepting or sharing reports about arrests, electoral offences or alleged attempts to manipulate the election.

Status at publication: The videos circulating online appear to show real people and events, but the specific claims attached to the footage — including the alleged 179 arrests, “imported voters,” political sponsorship and purported confessions — remain unverified.

This report will be updated if the Osun State Police Command or other relevant authorities officially confirm, deny or clarify the allegations.