The Lagos State Police Command has urged residents to disregard old videos making the rounds on social media depicting ongoing protests in the state, adding that carriers of fake news will be prosecuted.
In a statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, and posted on the command’s Twitter page, the police said the videos were not only old but were also “maliciously” shared to incite residents and cause unrest in the state.
The police also revealed that its cybercrime unit had been mandated to fish out those behind the “deliberate misinformation for immediate prosecution.”
The command further assured residents that their safety remained a priority to the police, adding that measures had been put in place to ensure that Lagos remains peaceful.
The statement read, “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Idowu Owohunwa, has called on residents and visitors to Lagos State to disregard old videos purportedly of ongoing riots in different parts of the state being shared on social media by mischief makers. These videos are not only old, but are being maliciously shared by scaremongers to incite and provoke people, cause panic, disharmony and unrest within Lagos State.
While the Cybercrimes Unit of the command has been mandated to fish out the people behind this deliberate misinformation for immediate prosecution, the good people and residents of Lagos State are urged to disregard all forms of messages, especially on social media depicting fictitious, fallacious and divisive claims aimed at jeopardising the peace currently being enjoyed in the state.
“Once again, the command assures Lagosians that all human and operational resources at its disposal have been fully and optimally deployed, especially at vulnerable points, including major markets across the state to ensure a total forestalling of breakdown of law and order in the state. CP Owohunwa therefore urges law abiding residents and visitors to Lagos State to go about their lawful duties without fear or apprehension as their safety and security remain prioritised.”
