The Nigeria Immigration Service has confirmed the arrest of popular social media personality Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, while attempting to leave the country through the Seme border.
This was announced by the NIS on Monday during a routine border check.
In a statement from the NIS Public Relations Officer, the service revealed that Bobrisky is a person of interest in an ongoing investigation related to recent public controversies.
“The Service wishes to inform the public that Okuneye Idris is a person of interest over recent issues of public concern,” the NIS stated.
The immigration service emphasized its dedication to protecting Nigeria’s borders, adding that Bobrisky was stopped in an effort to flee the country. “He is undergoing interrogation and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action,” the agency added.
Bobrisky has been involved in several legal and public disputes this year. In April 2024, he was sentenced to six months in prison for naira abuse by the Federal High Court in Lagos. Although he was initially held at Kirikiri Prison, reports surfaced that Bobrisky was quietly transferred to a private location after just three weeks in custody. This sparked allegations of bribery, with claims that officials were paid N15 million to facilitate his early release.
In September 2024, an audio recording circulated online, accusing Bobrisky of defaming human rights lawyer Femi Falana and his son, musician Falz. Bobrisky allegedly claimed in the recording that the Falanas had approached him during his imprisonment, offering a deal for a presidential pardon in exchange for N10 million.
Both Femi Falana and Falz responded by issuing a cease-and-desist letter on October 16, 2024, demanding a public apology. Bobrisky denied making such statements and called for the Falanas to focus on the individual responsible for leaking the audio.
The NIS reassured the public of its professionalism, saying, “The Service assures the public that it will continue to be civil and professional in its statutory responsibility of manning the country’s borders.”
