The Presidency has strongly refuted claims circulating online that a chef attached to the Presidential Villa was arrested over an alleged attempt to poison President Bola Tinubu.
Authorities described the allegation as entirely fabricated and urged Nigerians not to be misled by the trending viral video.
The controversial clip, which surfaced over the weekend, alleged that security operatives had taken into custody a member of the kitchen staff working within the restricted sections of the Presidential Villa.
According to the narrative promoted in the footage, intelligence reports had uncovered suspicious movements linked to food preparation areas, raising fears of a supposed poison plot targeting the President.
The video further claimed that a special police squad had been dispatched to handle the matter discreetly, leading to tighter security arrangements around the seat of power.
It suggested that the unnamed staff member was being interrogated as part of a broader investigation aimed at neutralising what it described as a credible threat to national leadership.
However, officials have dismissed the account as false and misleading.
Reacting to the development, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, categorically described the report as fake news.
He stressed that there was no arrest of any chef or kitchen worker in connection with a poisoning allegation and that no such security breach occurred at the Villa.
According to him, the story was deliberately concocted to stir anxiety and undermine public confidence.
He urged citizens to disregard the claims and avoid amplifying unverified information capable of causing unnecessary panic.
“The public should rely only on official communication channels for accurate information,” he advised, warning that misinformation can spread quickly and create confusion, especially when it concerns national security.
The Presidency also noted that the security architecture within the Presidential Villa remains intact and robust.
Officials emphasised that multiple layers of screening and monitoring exist in sensitive areas, including food preparation units that serve the President and other top government functionaries.
They maintained that no suspicious activity had been recorded in those sections.
The resurfacing of such allegations comes at a time when public attention remains heightened over previous security-related incidents.
A few months ago, some military personnel were reportedly arrested over accusations of plotting to destabilise the government.
In that investigation, a staff member of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc working within the presidential wing of the State House was also detained for questioning regarding alleged links to the suspected coup plan.
Sources indicated that the construction worker, who serves in the electrical department of the firm, had been deployed to the State House in 2022.
He was said to be from one of the South-South states. His reported detention formed part of wider security inquiries at the time.
A colleague who spoke anonymously expressed disbelief over the matter, noting that the staff member was relatively new to the environment and questioning what could have drawn him into such serious allegations.
The source added that many workers have spent years at the State House without encountering discussions related to destabilising activities.
Despite these earlier developments, authorities insist that the recent poison plot narrative is unrelated and entirely fictional.
The viral video making the rounds, they say, is a fresh attempt to recycle fear and speculation for attention.
Observers point out that the speed at which such unverified claims gain traction highlights the challenges posed by digital misinformation.
Within hours of its release, the video had attracted thousands of shares and comments, with some users expressing alarm before official clarification emerged.
Security analysts warn that repeated circulation of false alarms involving the Presidency can have unintended consequences.
Beyond creating panic, such stories may distract security agencies from genuine threats and erode trust in public institutions.
For its part, the Presidency has reiterated its commitment to transparency while also urging responsible online behaviour.
Officials stressed that matters relating to the safety of President Tinubu and the integrity of the Presidential Villa are handled with utmost seriousness and professionalism.
They further encouraged Nigerians to verify information before sharing, particularly when it concerns sensitive issues such as national security or leadership safety.
In an era where a single clip can travel across platforms within minutes, authorities say collective caution is essential.
Ultimately, government representatives maintain that there is no evidence of any attempted poisoning, no detained chef, and no extraordinary deployment of security units tied to the rumour. The alleged poison plot exists only within the realm of online speculation.
Ireport247news
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