By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a social media influencer, Abigail Nsuka, popularly known as Mirabel, for filing a false rape report.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed to The Gazette on Friday that Ms. Nsuka is in custody after she confessed that her initial allegation was fabricated.
“We have her. Investigations will explain the next line of action,” DSP Babaseyi stated.
The incident began when Ms. Nsuka, a TikTok content creator, claimed in a viral video that she had been sexually assaulted in her apartment. The allegation garnered significant public sympathy and quickly prompted outreach from government bodies, including the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA).
In subsequent developments, Ms. Nsuka and two of her friends held a live session on TikTok. During the broadcast, they shared what they described as her account details, inviting viewers to offer financial support. While they maintained they were “not begging for money,” they stated that supporters could assist if they wished.
The narrative shifted dramatically when a neighbor publicly disputed the account of the alleged assault. Following this, in a conversation with social media critic Martins Vincent Otse (also known as VeryDarkMan), Ms. Nsuka admitted the claim was false, attributing her actions to “panic attacks.”
Prior to Ms. Nsuka’s admission, the Lagos State DSVA confirmed it had reached out to her and her friends to offer support. The case was subsequently transferred to the Ogun State Police, the appropriate jurisdiction, where authorities ensured she received medical attention as part of their standard procedure.
Following her confession, the police confirmed her arrest.
In a public advisory issued on Friday, the Ogun State Police Command reiterated that disseminating false information and making false reports to authorities are criminal offenses under Nigerian law. The statement cited the Criminal Code Act and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, warning that offenders face imprisonment, fines, or both.
The Command emphasized that such actions waste government resources, obstruct legitimate investigations, and create unnecessary public panic. It urged citizens to verify information before sharing it on social media.
