The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed as false and misleading a viral video circulating on social media that allegedly shows the arrest of Fulani men found with arms and ammunition in Ikorodu, clarifying that the incident occurred over three years ago.
The Command emphasised that the footage does not reflect the current security situation in Ikorodu or any part of Lagos State, and cautioned residents against sharing unverified and alarmist content capable of inciting panic and tension.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, explained that the video is an old clip being wrongly portrayed as a recent development, thereby causing unnecessary fear among the public.
“The Lagos State Police Command wishes to state unequivocally that the video currently circulating on social media platforms depicting the arrest of some Fulani men allegedly found in possession of arms and ammunition in Ikorodu, Lagos State, is an old clip of an incident that occurred over three years ago and does not reflect the present security situation in Ikorodu or any part of Lagos State,” the statement read.
According to the Command, the recirculation of outdated security footage as a current event is misleading and has the potential to undermine public confidence and disrupt public peace.
The police therefore urged residents and social media users to disregard the video and refrain from spreading unverified information that could trigger unnecessary panic.
“The recirculation of such outdated content as a recent occurrence is capable of creating unwarranted fear and apprehension among residents,” the statement added.
The Command also issued a stern warning to social media users, bloggers, and content creators against disseminating false information or fake news that could lead to public disorder, stressing that offenders would be investigated and prosecuted in line with the law.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, CP Tijani Fatai, has directed the sustained deployment of personnel and operational assets to strategic locations, identified flashpoints, as well as entry and exit points across the state.
The Command noted that these proactive measures are being implemented in collaboration with other security and safety agencies to ensure the protection of lives and property throughout Lagos State.