By Yinka Giwa
A viral video alleging a plot to poison President Bola Tinubu jolted Nigerians over the weekend, triggering widespread anxiety before the Presidency firmly dismissed the claim as fabricated.
The video, which circulated rapidly across social media platforms, alleged that a chef attached to the Presidential Villa had been arrested by security operatives over a supposed attempt to poison the President. It claimed intelligence reports had flagged suspicious activities linked to food preparation within restricted areas of Aso Rock, prompting the deployment of a special police squad and tightened security around the presidential complex.
According to the unverified report, the unnamed kitchen staff member was taken into custody for questioning while authorities examined evidence tied to an alleged poisoning attempt and broader threats to the President’s safety.
But the Presidency swiftly debunked the narrative.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the video as “fake news,” insisting that no member of the Aso Rock kitchen staff had been arrested and that no attempt was made to poison the President.
“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,” Onanuga said in a statement issued on Sunday, March 1, 2026, urging Nigerians to rely on official channels for verified information.
The poisoning allegation surfaced against the backdrop of heightened political sensitivity following months of speculation about alleged plots against the administration.
In October 2025, the then Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, now Minister of Defence, issued a stern warning amid swirling rumours of a coup plot. Speaking at the General Assembly of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council in Birnin Kebbi, he declared that the Armed Forces would decisively confront anyone working against Nigeria’s sovereignty and unity.
“Anyone found doing anything negative against the government and the sovereignty of Nigeria is an enemy of the state, and we will go after such a person,” he said, reaffirming the military’s loyalty to the Constitution and commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
At the time, reports had claimed that 16 military officers were in custody for allegedly planning to overthrow the government, allegations the Defence Headquarters initially dismissed as false and malicious.
However, in January, the Defence Headquarters confirmed that some of the officers arrested in October 2025 for acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations were investigated over allegations bordering on attempts to subvert constitutional authority.
In a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the military said investigations had been concluded and forwarded to appropriate superior authorities. Officers with cases to answer were to be arraigned before military judicial panels under the Armed Forces Act and other applicable regulations.
The Defence Headquarters emphasised that the process was strictly disciplinary and part of institutional mechanisms to preserve order, discipline, and operational effectiveness within the Armed Forces, while reaffirming loyalty to democratic authority.