The Ghana Police Service has arrested a 22-year-old man after a viral video showing him posing as a bandit and issuing threats sparked fear and panic across social media.
The suspect, Evans Puplampu, was arrested on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Ashaiman Community 22 following days of intelligence gathering and surveillance by police investigators.
Viral Video Sparks Public Fear
The widely circulated video showed the suspect with his face covered, posing like an armed bandit under the caption:
“We are starting from Ghana churches.”
The video, shared on the popular platform TikTok, quickly gained traction online and triggered alarm among members of the public, particularly within religious communities.
Authorities say the post created unnecessary fear and heightened security concerns, prompting swift police action to identify the individual behind the footage.
Suspect Admits Recording Video ‘For Fun’
According to police sources, the suspect admitted during interrogation that he was the individual seen in the video.
He reportedly told investigators that he copied a similar trending pose circulating on social media and recorded the video for fun, insisting that he had no intention of causing harm or inciting panic.
Police retrieved a Samsung Galaxy A15 mobile phone believed to have been used to record and share the video. The device has been retained as evidence to support ongoing investigations.
Police Warn Against Dangerous Social Media Content
The suspect remains in police custody and is expected to be arraigned before the court in the coming days.
The Ghana Police Service has cautioned the public against creating or sharing threatening content online, stressing that such actions can cause public panic and may constitute criminal offences under Ghana’s laws.
Security analysts say the incident serves as a strong reminder that online actions carry real-world consequences, especially at a time when security concerns across West Africa remain high.
Investigations into the case are ongoing.
By paqmediagh/Peter Quao Adattor
