By: Adekunle Oluwafunmilayo
A suspect allegedly responsible for creating and circulating a viral AI-generated audio clip falsely attributed to Bola Tinubu has been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force, according to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga.
Onanuga disclosed on Thursday that a police crack team apprehended Ifechukwu Dennis in Benin City, Edo State, over his alleged role in producing and disseminating the controversial recording, which mimicked the President’s voice using artificial intelligence technology.
“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 on his verified X account, adding that the police would release an official statement detailing the arrest and ongoing investigation.
The audio clip, which spread rapidly across social media platforms in recent days, purportedly featured President Tinubu making controversial remarks on insecurity in the South-East, the 2027 presidential election, opposition figures and economic issues. The recording generated widespread political debate before questions emerged about its authenticity.
The Presidency had earlier dismissed the recording as fake, describing it as either AI-generated or manipulated. Onanuga had also called for legal action against those involved in circulating the clip, warning about the growing threat posed by artificial intelligence tools capable of producing convincing but false audio content.
The incident has renewed concerns over the use of AI-powered voice cloning technology to spread misinformation and influence public discourse, particularly ahead of major political events. Experts have increasingly warned that advances in generative AI are making it more difficult for the public to distinguish between authentic recordings and fabricated content.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had yet to issue a formal statement on the arrest or possible charges against the suspect. However, the development marks a significant escalation in efforts by authorities to combat AI-driven disinformation and digital impersonation
