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The Presidency has refuted viral claims on social media alleging that members of the kitchen staff at the Presidential Villa in Abuja were detained over a supposed attempt to poison President Bola Tinubu.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, addressed the allegation on Sunday via his verified X handle, where he shared the trending clip and firmly debunked its content.

The footage, which appears to show scenes from the Presidential Villa, features a narrated account suggesting that a chef working within the presidential complex had been arrested in connection with an alleged poisoning plot targeting President Bola Tinubu.

The narrator in the video claimed, “Today we examine reports surrounding the shocking arrest of a presidential chef over an alleged plot to poison President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, an incident that has prompted swift intervention by a special police squad and triggered heightened security measures within the presidential environment.

“According to preliminary information from security sources, the arrest followed intelligence alerts suggesting suspicious activities connected to food preparation procedures within restricted areas linked to presidential operations.

“Authorities moved quickly after receiving credible reports that indicated a possible threat to the safety of the president, leading to a coordinated investigation involving specialised security personnel tasked with protecting national leadership.”

The report further stated, “Officials emphasized that the operation was carried out professionally and discreetly to avoid public panic while ensuring that all potential risks were neutralised.

“The suspect, identified as a member of kitchen staff attached to presidential services, was reportedly taken into custody for questioning as investigators began examining evidence and verifying claims connected to the alleged poisoning attempt.

“Security agencies have urged the public to remain calm, stressing that the investigation remains ongoing and that allegations do not automatically imply guilt until due process.”

Reacting to the claims, Onanuga described the story as entirely false and misleading.

He stated, “No Aso Rock kitchen staff arrested. No Aso Rock kitchen staff attempted to poison President Tinubu. Please ignore this fake news being disseminated by this video.”

As of the time of filing this report, officials have not disclosed who produced the clip or the intent behind spreading the unfounded allegation.

No Aso Rock kitchen staff arrested over alleged plot to poison Tinubu — Presidency

The Edo State Migration Agency, EDMA, said it secured the conviction of 35 traffickers in 2025 in the state.

DAILY POST reports that the Director-General of the agency, Mr Lucky Agazuma, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen shortly after a stakeholders’ dialogue on migration and reintegration in Benin City.

The stakeholders’ dialogue, involving non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, and religious leaders, was organized by International Returns and Reintegration Assistance (IRARA).

Agazuma also disclosed that the agency rescued over 393 trafficked victims in the state within the period.

“We secured the conviction of 35 traffickers and also rescued 393 trafficked victims within the period,” he said.

He added that among the rescued victims, 365 were female, 20 were children, while eight were male.

He attributed one of the major challenges for rescued victims to family rejection, noting that many families expect the victims to return with affluence, but when that does not happen, they are often rejected.

He noted that the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo has a zero-tolerance policy for human trafficking and is doing everything possible to curb it in the state.

Agazuma, however, called on communities to promote safe migration rather than irregular migration, where victims are subjected to inhuman treatment.

Edo migration agency secures conviction of 35 traffickers, rescued 393 victims in 2025