The Nigerian Presidency has strongly denied viral social media reports claiming that a member of the kitchen staff at the Presidential Villa attempted to poison Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to the Presidency, the story alleging the arrest of a presidential chef over a poisoning plot at Aso Rock Presidential Villa is entirely false and should be disregarded.

The clarification was issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, who addressed the issue on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.

Fake Video Sparks Rumors About Presidential Security

The viral video circulating online claimed that a kitchen staff member at the Presidential Villa had been arrested after intelligence reports suggested suspicious activity in areas linked to food preparation for the President.

The narration in the video alleged that security agencies received credible intelligence about a possible poisoning attempt and launched a swift investigation to protect the Nigerian leader.

It further claimed that a specialized police squad intervened, detained the suspect, and began reviewing evidence connected to the alleged threat.

The video also suggested that authorities handled the situation discreetly to prevent panic while ensuring the safety of the President and other officials within the Villa.

Presidency: No Arrest, No Poison Plot

However, the Presidency dismissed the claims as fabricated and misleading.

Reacting to the report, Onanuga stated clearly that no member of the kitchen staff at the Presidential Villa was arrested and that there was no attempt to poison the President.

He described the viral report as fake news designed to misinform the public.
“No Aso Rock kitchen staff arrested.

No Aso Rock kitchen staff attempted to poison President Tinubu. Please ignore this fake news being disseminated,” Onanuga said.

Authorities Warn Public Against Misinformation

The Presidency urged Nigerians to disregard the video and remain cautious about unverified information circulating on social media.

Officials also noted that no credible security incident involving the President’s kitchen staff had been recorded at the Presidential Villa.

The incident highlights growing concerns about misinformation and the rapid spread of false reports online, especially on issues involving national leadership and security.