The Presidency has dismissed as false a viral social media claim alleging that a member of the kitchen staff at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, was arrested over a supposed attempt to poison President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The allegation, circulated in a widely shared video, suggested that a presidential chef had been detained following intelligence reports of suspicious food preparation activities within restricted areas of the Villa.
In the footage, a narrator claimed that the arrest was prompted by security alerts indicating a potential threat to the President’s safety. According to the video, a special police squad allegedly carried out a coordinated and discreet operation to prevent public panic while investigating the matter.
The narrator further alleged that the suspect, described as a kitchen staff member attached to presidential services, had been taken into custody for questioning as part of an ongoing investigation into a possible poisoning attempt.
However, the Presidency has categorically denied the claims.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, addressed the issue on Sunday via his verified X account, where he shared the trending clip and refuted its content.
“There is no truth to the story,” Onanuga stated. “No Aso Rock kitchen staff was arrested, and no attempt was made to poison President Tinubu. The video is fake news and should be disregarded.”
As of the time of this report, there has been no official indication of any security breach within the Presidential Villa, and authorities have not identified the source of the video or the motive behind its circulation.
The Presidency urged the public to rely on verified information and refrain from spreading unsubstantiated reports capable of causing unnecessary alarm.
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