BY: Mustapha Lawal
Claim:
A viral social media claim alleges that the local eatery “Item7” is linked to a homicide case involving a beheaded victim in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Verdict:
False. The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed that “Item 7” has no connection to the murder case, and the originator of this misinformation has been apprehended.
Full Text:
On social media, particularly WhatsApp TV and X (formerly Twitter), users have circulated a rumour implicating a popular eatery, Item7, in a murder case.
The claim, first shared by Abdulwakeel Olajuwon (identified in the Police Press Brief) through his platform “Weaky TV,” was subsequently amplified across various platforms, sparking a significant public backlash.
Given the potential for misinformation to incite unrest and damage the reputation of local businesses, FactCheckAfrica sought to verify the claim.
Verification:
FactCheckAfrica contacted the Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mrs Ejire Adeyemi Toun, who directed us to an official press statement by the State Commissioner of Police, CP Victor Olaiya. The statement clarified the details of the ongoing investigation and categorically debunked any link between Item 7 and the homicide incident.
According to the police report, the homicide in question involved a beheaded body found near a stream in the Oke-Oyi area of Ilorin. Several suspects were apprehended based on strong evidence, and during interrogation, they admitted to their involvement.
The Commissioner specifically addressed the misinformation, stating, “Another rumour suggested the involvement of the owner of the popular eatery, Item 7, in the homicide case. This is entirely false. The individual has no links to this incident.”
Furthermore, the police announced that the originator of the misinformation, Abdulwakeel Olajuwon, would be prosecuted under Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act for his role in spreading false information with the potential to disrupt public peace. Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act outlines legal consequences for the deliberate spread of false information, including fines and imprisonment.
“Deliberately spreading false information to incite harm or disrupt investigations is a serious offence with legal consequences,” Olaiya added, urging the public to rely on verified information from law enforcement sources.
Conclusion:
The allegation that Item 7 was involved in a murder case in Kwara State is false and misleading. The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed that Item 7 is not connected to the crime, and legal action is being taken against the misinformation originator.
