The Presidency has refuted viral claims on social media alleging that members of the kitchen staff at the Presidential Villa in Abuja were detained over a supposed attempt to poison President Bola Tinubu.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, addressed the allegation on Sunday via his verified X handle, where he shared the trending clip and firmly debunked its content.
The footage, which appears to show scenes from the Presidential Villa, features a narrated account suggesting that a chef working within the presidential complex had been arrested in connection with an alleged poisoning plot targeting President Bola Tinubu.
The narrator in the video claimed, “Today we examine reports surrounding the shocking arrest of a presidential chef over an alleged plot to poison President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, an incident that has prompted swift intervention by a special police squad and triggered heightened security measures within the presidential environment.
“According to preliminary information from security sources, the arrest followed intelligence alerts suggesting suspicious activities connected to food preparation procedures within restricted areas linked to presidential operations.
“Authorities moved quickly after receiving credible reports that indicated a possible threat to the safety of the president, leading to a coordinated investigation involving specialised security personnel tasked with protecting national leadership.”
The report further stated, “Officials emphasized that the operation was carried out professionally and discreetly to avoid public panic while ensuring that all potential risks were neutralised.
“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.
“Security agencies have urged the public to remain calm, stressing that the investigation remains ongoing and that allegations do not automatically imply guilt until due process.”
Reacting to the claims, Onanuga described the story as entirely false and misleading.
He stated, “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.”
As of the time of filing this report, officials have not disclosed who produced the clip or the intent behind spreading the unfounded allegation.