The Presidency has firmly rejected viral social media claims alleging that kitchen staff at the Presidential Villa were arrested over a purported attempt to poison President Bola Tinubu.
The rumour, which circulated widely across digital platforms over the weekend, was amplified by a video that purported to show activity within the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, accompanied by a dramatic voiceover narrating an alleged security breach.
In response, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, categorically dismissed the report as false. Posting on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, Onanuga shared the video and described its contents as fabricated.
The circulating clip alleged that a presidential chef had been arrested over a suspected plot to poison the President. The narration suggested that the alleged arrest followed intelligence alerts concerning “suspicious activities” related to food preparation in restricted areas linked to presidential operations.
According to the voiceover, security agencies had reportedly launched a swift and coordinated response after receiving what it described as credible information pointing to a potential threat to the President’s safety. The report further claimed that a special police squad intervened and that security measures within the Villa had been heightened.
The video asserted that the operation was conducted professionally and discreetly to prevent public panic while neutralising any perceived risks. It also stated that a kitchen staff member attached to presidential services had been taken into custody for questioning, pending further investigation.
Additionally, the narration claimed that security authorities urged the public to remain calm and emphasised that due process would be followed, noting that allegations do not amount to guilt.
However, none of these claims were supported by verifiable evidence or official statements from recognised security or government institutions.
Onanuga moved quickly to counter the narrative, issuing a clear and unambiguous denial.
“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,” he wrote.
The statement effectively shut down the allegations, describing them as baseless and misleading. The Presidency did not indicate that any such security breach had occurred, nor did it confirm the existence of any related investigation.
As of the time of the denial, no law enforcement or intelligence agency had corroborated the claims made in the viral content.
The incident highlights the recurring challenge of misinformation in Nigeria’s digital information space. Viral videos—particularly those framed with authoritative-sounding narration and dramatic language—often gain traction quickly before official clarifications emerge.
Security-related claims involving the Presidency are especially sensitive. Allegations of threats against a sitting president can provoke anxiety, trigger speculation, and potentially undermine public confidence in national institutions.
In this case, the video employed phrases such as “credible intelligence,” “coordinated investigation,” and “heightened security measures,” terminology that can create an impression of authenticity even in the absence of substantiated facts.
The Presidency’s prompt response appears aimed at preventing escalation and reassuring the public that there was no internal security breach within the Presidential Villa.
Authorities have not disclosed the source of the misleading video or the motives behind its creation and distribution. It remains unclear whether the content originated locally or was repurposed from unrelated footage.
Government officials also did not indicate whether any investigation would be launched to trace those responsible for circulating the false narrative.
In recent years, public institutions have increasingly faced the task of countering fabricated reports in real time, particularly as social media platforms accelerate the speed at which unverified information spreads.
While the Presidency’s denial was direct, it avoided inflammatory rhetoric. The focus was on correcting the record and urging the public to disregard the video.
There has been no announcement of changes to security protocols at the Presidential Villa in connection with the claim. Nor has there been confirmation of any arrest involving staff members within presidential service units.
By issuing a swift rebuttal, officials appear to have sought to prevent the rumour from gaining further traction or triggering unnecessary alarm.
The allegation that a kitchen staff member at Aso Rock was arrested over a poisoning attempt against President Bola Tinubu has been officially denied by the Presidency. According to the President’s spokesperson, the report is entirely false.
With no supporting evidence and no confirmation from recognised security agencies, the claim remains categorised as misinformation.
The episode underscores the importance of verifying sensitive security-related content before amplifying it. In the absence of credible official confirmation, such reports risk contributing to confusion and unnecessary public concern.
