The Presidency on Sunday dismissed as false a viral video alleging that a chef attached to the Presidential Villa was arrested over a supposed plot to poison President Bola Tinubu.
The video, which circulated widely on social media at the weekend, claimed that security operatives apprehended a member of the presidential kitchen staff following intelligence reports of suspicious food-related activities within restricted areas of the Villa. It further alleged that a special police squad was deployed and security tightened around the presidential premises.
According to the unverified report, the arrest was said to be linked to credible threats against the President, prompting a coordinated investigation by security agencies.
However, the Presidency described the claims as entirely fabricated.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, debunked the video, branding it “fake news” and urging the public to disregard the story. He advised Nigerians to rely only on official communication channels for accurate information, warning that the spread of unsubstantiated reports could trigger unnecessary panic.
The denial comes months after security agencies arrested some military personnel over an alleged plot to destabilise the government. In a related development, a staff member of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc working at the presidential wing of the State House was reportedly questioned in connection with the alleged coup plan.
The staff member, said to be in the electrical department and deployed to the State House in 2022, is reportedly from the South-South region. A colleague who spoke anonymously expressed surprise at the development, stating that the suspect was relatively new and that many longer-serving employees had no involvement in such matters.
Authorities have not released further official details on the separate arrest.
