The Kwara State Police Command has dismissed a viral video alleging that female protesters were assaulted at the Government House in Ilorin, describing the footage as fake and digitally manipulated.
The video, which circulated widely after a protest held on December 27, 2025, appeared to show women being beaten by security operatives or hoodlums during a demonstration against insecurity. The footage triggered public outrage and calls for accountability.
However, in a statement issued on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said a forensic investigation revealed that the video was a “composite clip” created to mislead the public.
According to the police, the footage was produced by splicing scenes from unrelated violent incidents with clips from a peaceful protest in Ilorin.
“The video currently circulating is a digitally manipulated composite deliberately edited to create a false narrative and incite public anger,” the statement said.
The police said their investigation showed that some images attached to the video were from incidents that occurred several months earlier and were unrelated to the Ilorin protest. They also disclosed that efforts to identify or locate the two women featured in the clip have been unsuccessful, despite public appeals.
In addition, the command said no individual or group has come forward to file a formal complaint regarding the alleged assault.
Reacting to the findings, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, warned that the spread of deepfake and unverified content poses a serious threat to public peace and security. He urged residents to verify information before sharing it on social media.
The police boss also advised organisers of public protests to always notify and liaise with security agencies ahead of demonstrations to prevent hoodlums from hijacking peaceful gatherings and to ensure adequate protection for participants.
CP Ojo assured residents that the command remains committed to protecting citizens’ rights while maintaining law and order across the state.
While the Kwara State Government had earlier ordered an investigation following public outrage over the video, the police said the forensic findings confirm that the violent scenes circulating online did not occur during the December 27 protest at the Government House.
The command warned that the deliberate circulation of false or misleading information capable of inciting public disorder could attract legal consequences.
