Nigerian police arrest suspect over deepfake Tinubu audio

Nigerian police have arrested a man accused of creating and circulating an AI-generated audio recording falsely attributed to President Bola Tinubu, the presidency said on Thursday.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said on X that the Inspector-General of Police’s special team arrested Ifechukwu Dennis in Benin City, Edo State. “The IGP crack team has arrested Ifechukwu Dennis, who originated the fake voice that he passed on to his gullible targets as President Tinubu’s voice,” Onanuga wrote.

The audio simulated President Tinubu’s voice, making comments about the upcoming elections and insecurity in parts of the country, according to local media reports. It sparked a heated debate online and raised concerns about the use of AI-generated content to spread disinformation ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

The presidency had dismissed the audio as fabricated, calling it an attempt to mislead Nigerians. In a separate statement last week, the president’s office urged citizens to reject divisive propaganda, verify information before sharing, and remain vigilant against attempts to destabilise national cohesion through digitally amplified disinformation.

Police have not yet disclosed the specific charges Dennis may face. The arrest comes as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 presidential election, with authorities warning that political actors may increasingly use AI tools to create fake content. Deepfake technology has become a growing concern globally, with experts calling for stronger regulations to combat its misuse in political campaigns.

The investigation is ongoing, and police have not ruled out further arrests.

SOURCE: MRA