Public reactions have trailed comments made by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following the arrest of a young man who allegedly raised alarm over insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Onanuga made the remarks in a post shared via his official X account on Thursday, June 4, 2026, where he addressed the circumstances surrounding the arrest and the broader implications of online commentary on national security issues.
The young man involved, whose identity has not been disclosed, was reportedly taken into custody by security operatives after making statements on social media suggesting that armed bandits had infiltrated parts of Abuja. His comments had sparked concern among residents and quickly gained attention online before authorities moved to detain him.
According to Onanuga, the arrest was necessary and serves a broader purpose in maintaining order within the digital space, especially regarding sensitive security matters. He argued that unchecked claims capable of causing panic among citizens must be treated seriously by law enforcement agencies.
In his reaction, the presidential aide maintained that such enforcement actions are intended to discourage what he described as irresponsible use of social media, particularly when it comes to unverified security-related information that could trigger fear or misinformation among the public.
He stated that the intervention by security agencies sends a strong warning that individuals who spread alarming or misleading narratives online will be held accountable for their actions.
The statement read in part that the arrest should be seen as a signal that authorities are committed to addressing the spread of panic-inducing content in the digital space, especially when it relates to national security concerns.