The Ogun State Police Command has officially taken popular TikToker personality, Mirabel, into custody over claims that she may have fabricated a sexual assault story that recently went viral.
Confirming the arrest on Friday, the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said that the influencer was held for questioning.
The police are working to verify the authenticity of her initial report.
Asked about the possibility of the TikToker being charged for making a false report, Babaseyi said that the police would allow the evidence to guide their final decision.
“She is with us now and investigation is ongoing,” the spokesperson stated. “The facts will tell at the conclusion of our investigation.”
Mirabel, known by her handle @mirab351, shared a series of distressing videos online.
She narrated that on February 15, an unknown individual broke into her home and assaulted her.
In her video, she alleged the attacker bragged about his family’s high-level connections, claiming they would shield him from any legal consequences.
The emotional nature of her posts sparked a massive outcry on Nigerian social media, with many citizens calling for the immediate arrest of the alleged perpetrator.
Following the viral video, the Commissioner of Police ordered the Ibafo Division to locate Mirabel. Initially, she was treated as a victim and a complainant.
She was later moved to the Ogijo Police Station, which has jurisdiction over the area where the incident allegedly took place.
While she was initially provided with medical care and psychological support due to her visible distress, the tide of the investigation appears to have shifted.
The police have previously warned that while they are committed to protecting survivors, the law also penalizes those who mislead the public or the authorities.
“In general, if she’s telling the truth, the perpetrator will be arrested and charged to court appropriately,” Babaseyi previously noted. “If it is otherwise, the law goes against giving false information, and that can make anyone who gives false information culpable.”
