Son of Ekiti Social Media Influencer Arrested for Cyberstalking, Assault on Police Officers

A routine police operation to apprehend a suspected cyberstalker in Ado-Ekiti took a violent turn on [Day of the week], resulting in the arrest of a 21-year-old man and a police officer being hospitalized.

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force arrived at the residence of one Abimbola Adeniyi, a self-proclaimed member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to execute an arrest warrant. The operation was based on a formal petition filed against her by Mrs. Yemisi Joluwe, the Chief Executive Officer of YSJ Limited.

According to police sources, Mrs. Joluwe’s petition accused Ms. Adeniyi of a sustained campaign of defamation against her. The allegations published online reportedly included claims of criminal fraud and an illicit affair with Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji.

Upon arriving at the suspect’s home, officers made a critical discovery. Their preliminary investigation suggested that Ms. Adeniyi was not the primary operator of the social media accounts used in the alleged cyberbullying. It is believed that she would author the defamatory content and then use her son’s electronic devices to publish the material online.

Following a digital footprint trace, which involved tracking the IP address used in the alleged offenses, police identified Ms. Adeniyi’s son, Oluwagbotemi Olaniyi, as the individual posting the content. He was reportedly found in the act of uploading material when officers moved in to make the arrest. A phone and computer allegedly used in the crime were subsequently seized.

However, the situation escalated when officers attempted to gain entry into the residence. After Mr. Olaniyi refused to open the door, the police team, acting within their legal mandate, broke it down. As they entered, the suspect allegedly struck a leading officer on the head and body with a piece of wood. The impact caused the officer to lose consciousness.

The injured officer was rushed to an undisclosed hospital in the state capital, Ado-Ekiti, where he is currently receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Mr. Olaniyi was taken into custody and is facing charges that include cyberstalking and the attempted murder of police officers.

In a related development, Ms. Adeniyi has reportedly accused the Senate Spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, of orchestrating the police raid on her home. Authorities have dismissed this claim, maintaining that the operation was solely in response to the petition filed by Mrs. Joluwe.

Police have declared that Ms. Adeniyi remains the primary target of their investigation and have given her an ultimatum to surrender voluntarily, warning that a manhunt will be launched if she fails to do so.