By Benjamin Njoku

One wonders why anyone would want to spread falsehood just to gain traction or drive traffic to his or her social media platform indiscriminately. In fact, when one is a celebrity, the frequency of spreading falsehood about the person is part of the territory. The latest to fall prey to this evil called fake news is top Nollywood actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, who made headlines days back following rumours that she fled the United States due to the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles. She has however shut down the rumours.

In a statement shared on her Instagram page, the actress confirmed that she and her family were safe and currently residing in Nigeria. She expressed deep gratitude to her fans for the overwhelming concern and support she has received in recent days.

“Your thoughtfulness means the world to me,” she said, acknowledging the love and prayers sent her way. However, the star clarified misinformation circulating in the media, “I’ve seen reports suggesting I had to leave the United States because of the fires. This is inaccurate. I have been in Nigeria since December 2024 and am still here presently”.

Debunking the reports, Omosexy, as she’s fondly called by her fans, described Los Angeles as “a home, and a place where dreams continue to fly.

Omotola is not the only celebrity to fall victim to fake news. Other Nigerian celebrities, such as Tekno, Hanks Anuku, Tiwa Savage, and Bobrisky, have also been affected by false rumours and death hoaxes.

The spread of false information about celebrities is a growing concern, and Omotola’s statement serves as a reminder to verify information before sharing it on social media.