The Nigeria Police Force has apprehended a man accused of creating and spreading a doctored audio recording made to sound like President Bola Tinubu. Presidential media aide Bayo Onanuga confirmed the arrest, saying the suspect behind the viral fake voice clip is now in custody.
According to Onanuga, the IGP crack team traced and arrested Ifechukwu Dennis over his role in originating the counterfeit voice note. The audio had been shared widely on social media and messaging platforms, with Dennis allegedly passing it off to unsuspecting recipients as an authentic recording of President Tinubu’s voice.
Onanuga stated that Dennis was picked up in Benin after police tracked the source of the deepfake. The presidential spokesperson described the targets of the fake audio as “gullible,” noting how the suspect exploited public trust to push the misleading content. The arrest marks another step in the government’s push to curb misinformation and digital impersonation ahead of sensitive national conversations.
The aide added that an official statement detailing the arrest and next steps will be released by the Nigeria Police Force. That statement is expected to provide more specifics on the investigation, charges, and how the fake audio was produced and distributed. For now, police have not disclosed the technical methods used to create the fake voice or the full extent of its circulation.
The case highlights growing concerns around AI-generated audio and deepfake technology in Nigeria. With voice cloning tools becoming easier to access, security agencies have warned citizens to verify any sensational audio or video clips, especially those claiming to be from top government officials. The Tinubu administration has repeatedly cautioned against the spread of fake news and manipulated media.
As Nigerians await the police’s official update, the arrest serves as a warning to others involved in creating or sharing synthetic media intended to deceive. Authorities are under pressure to show that digital impersonation and online disinformation will attract real consequences. The police statement is expected to clarify whether others were involved and what measures will follow to prevent similar incidents.
