The Nigerian Police Force has denied reports that Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo was declared wanted.
The rebuttal came after a forged police bulletin carrying her name and photo spread rapidly across social media platforms.
On Wednesday, the Force issued a public notice to set the record straight. It said the document did not come from the police and should not be regarded as authentic.
According to the statement, the bulletin claiming Ojo was wanted by the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit was “not an official communication.”
The fake circular had circulated widely earlier in the week. Screenshots of the so-called “wanted person” notice appeared in WhatsApp groups, on X (formerly Twitter), and on Instagram blogs. It was designed to look like a formal police gazette, with Ojo’s image attached and a claim that she was under investigation.
Within hours, the post triggered panic and debate. Many fans and colleagues demanded clarity. Some expressed disbelief, while others worried that the actress was facing a criminal probe.
The speed of the rumour highlighted just how fast false information spreads in Nigeria’s digital space.
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Iyabo Ojo is one of Nollywood’s most recognisable faces. She is not only an actress but also a filmmaker, entrepreneur, and outspoken social commentator. News that she could be “wanted” by police came as a shock to her followers.
Her admirers rushed to defend her, calling the document a malicious attempt to damage her reputation. For others, the incident raised serious questions about how easily fake police bulletins can be created and circulated without verification.
The Nigerian Police moved quickly to contain the situation. In its official clarification, the Force stressed that the publication was false.
“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to clarify that the recent Wanted Person Bulletin circulating, stating that Nollywood Actress Iyabo Ojo is wanted by the Office of the IGP Monitoring Unit, is NOT an official communication from the Force,” the statement read.
It also urged Nigerians to cross-check sensitive information before sharing. “We advise the public to verify information through official channels and be cautious of misinformation,” it added.
The intervention has eased some of the tension, but concerns remain about the broader issue of fake news.
In recent years, false reports and doctored documents have become common in Nigeria’s online space. Once such content surfaces, it often spreads far faster than official corrections.
For celebrities like Ojo, the damage can be severe. A single false claim can affect personal safety, brand deals, and career opportunities.
Analysts say public figures with millions of followers are often targets of smear campaigns. In Ojo’s case, her outspokenness on social and political issues may have made her a convenient target for mischief-makers.
Observers also warn that fake police circulars do more than harm individuals. They weaken trust in law enforcement.
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“Once people start doubting the authenticity of official documents, it undermines the credibility of security agencies and fuels unnecessary panic,” a media analyst told our reporter.
This erosion of trust, experts argue, poses a risk not only to individuals but also to the integrity of national security institutions.
As of press time, Iyabo Ojo had not issued an official statement on the incident. However, close associates dismissed the bulletin as an obvious attempt to smear her image.
Her colleagues in Nollywood and fans across social media have expressed support. Many are calling on the police to trace and prosecute those behind the false publication.
Security experts say the Force must go beyond clarifications and investigate the source of the forged bulletin. They argue that only by holding perpetrators accountable can similar incidents be prevented in the future.
The police, meanwhile, have reminded Nigerians to rely on official communication channels such as verified social media handles, its website, and press briefings.
For many Nigerians, the incident is another reminder of the dangers of misinformation in a society where social media shapes daily conversation. It shows how quickly a forged document can spark confusion, damage reputations, and sow distrust in public institutions.
For Iyabo Ojo, the false alarm may fade in time, but it adds to the long list of controversies she has had to navigate in the public eye.
For the police, the challenge is twofold: punish those behind the fake bulletin and rebuild confidence by making sure accurate information reaches the public faster than rumours.
Until then, Nigerians are urged to be cautious, to fact-check before sharing, and to treat unverified documents, no matter how official they look, with suspicion.
