A recent incident in Lagos showed how dangerous misinformation can be. False claims on social media about a “bandit invasion” led to violence and a tragic death.
The Lagos State Police Command said that viral posts about armed bandits attacking schools and communities in Ibeju-Lekki, Imota, and Oke-Afo were completely false.
Authorities called the alerts “false, misleading, and unfounded” and said there is no coordinated attack or security crisis in the state.
Even after police tried to calm fears, worry continued to spread. In one area, a group of young people accused 24-year-old motorcycle rider Kulaha Ayuba of being a “Fulani bandit” based on rumours.
They attacked him, and his body was later found in a swamp. His motorcycle was also taken.
Police quickly stepped in and arrested fifteen people connected to the killing. The Command promised that anyone found guilty would be brought to justice.
Officials spoke about the dangers of spreading unverified information, saying it can lead to ethnic profiling, violence, and public disorder.
“Individuals found responsible for originating, publishing, or deliberately circulating false and inciting information capable of causing public alarm, disorder, ethnic tension, or violence will be investigated and prosecuted,” the statement read.
Commissioner of Police CP Tijani Fatai asked Lagos residents to stay calm and alert. He said schools and communities are safe and under watch.
He also encouraged people to report anything suspicious through official channels instead of trusting unverified social media posts.
The Command warned that misinformation is dangerous and asked the public to use only trusted sources for information.
