The Presidency has dismissed as fake news a viral report alleging that a presidential chef was arrested over a purported plot to poison President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Urging Nigerians to disregard the circulating video, Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement on Sunday, said the report was entirely false.
A video making the rounds on social media had claimed that an incident within the presidential environment prompted the swift intervention of a special police squad and triggered heightened security measures at the Presidential Villa.
According to the narrator in the video, preliminary information from unnamed security sources suggested that the arrest followed intelligence alerts pointing to suspicious activities allegedly connected to food preparation procedures within restricted areas linked to presidential operations.
The narrator further alleged that authorities moved quickly after receiving what were described as credible reports indicating a possible threat to the safety of the President.
The video claimed that the development led to a coordinated investigation involving specialised security personnel tasked with protecting the nation’s leadership.
In the widely shared footage, it was also stated that officials handled the situation professionally and discreetly to avoid public panic while ensuring that all potential risks were neutralized.
The narrator claimed that the suspect identified as a member of kitchen staff attached to presidential services, was reportedly taken into custody for questioning as investigators began examining evidence and verifying claims connected to the alleged poisoning attempt.
The video added that security agencies had urged members of the public to remain calm, stressing that investigations were ongoing and that allegations do not automatically imply guilt until due process is followed.
But debunking the claim, Onanuga, presidential spokesman, emphasised that “No Aso Rock kitchen staff arrested. No Aso Rock kitchen staff attempted to poison President Tinubu. Please ignore this fake news being disseminated by this video.”
Onanuga insisted that there was no incident involving any kitchen staff member within the Presidential Villa and no arrest linked to any alleged poisoning plot.