BY SUNDAY SAMUEL—The Lagos State Police Command has debunked a viral video circulating on social media which purportedly shows the recent arrest of Fulani men allegedly found with arms and ammunition in Ikorodu, describing the footage as old and misleading.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said the video was from an incident that occurred more than three years ago and does not reflect the current security situation in Ikorodu or any part of Lagos State.
According to the command, the recirculation of the outdated video as a recent event is capable of creating unnecessary panic, fear and apprehension among residents.
“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 is an old clip of an incident that occurred over three years ago,” the statement said.
The command urged members of the public to disregard the video and refrain from sharing unverified information capable of undermining public confidence and peace.
It also warned social media users and content creators against disseminating false, unverified and alarmist content that could trigger public disorder, stressing that individuals found deliberately spreading misinformation or fake news would be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, has directed sustained deployment of personnel and operational assets to identified black spots, strategic locations and entry and exit points across the state.
The police said the proactive security measures are being implemented in collaboration with other security and safety agencies to ensure the continued safety of residents and visitors.
Residents were encouraged to go about their lawful activities without fear, as adequate security arrangements have been put in place to safeguard lives and property.
The command further called on members of the public to remain vigilant and support security agencies by providing prompt, credible and actionable information on suspicious persons, movements and activities within their communities.
According to the police, timely information from residents remains critical to crime prevention and the enhancement of public safety across the state.
