The Presidency is warning Nigerians against panic after false claims of a poisoning plot against Bola Tinubu spread rapidly online, raising concerns about how misinformation can trigger unnecessary public anxiety and security fears.

The reports, circulated in a viral video over the weekend, alleged that a member of the kitchen staff at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa had been arrested for attempting to poison the President, suggesting heightened security activity within the seat of power.

Presidential officials, however, say the claims are entirely false. The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed the story on Sunday, stating clearly that no such arrest occurred and that no attempt was made on the President’s life.
In a post shared on X, Onanuga described the video as fabricated, urging the public to disregard what he called deliberate fake news designed to mislead and alarm viewers.

Security sources note that while no incident took place, such narratives can have serious public safety implications, as false alarms around the presidency may heighten tension, distract security agencies, and undermine confidence in official information channels.

Authorities say the misleading video appears crafted to mimic credible security reporting, complete with claims of intelligence alerts and special police action, a tactic experts warn is increasingly used to give false stories the appearance of authenticity.

The Presidency is encouraging citizens to verify sensitive security-related information through official sources, stressing that responsible information sharing is critical to national stability and to preventing avoidable fear fueled by online misinformation.