A wave of false security alerts has triggered panic across Lagos and Ogun States, leading to a fatal mob attack in Lagos and widespread tension in Ogun, as police authorities moved to debunk viral claims of bandit and kidnap invasions circulating on social media.
In Lagos, the State Police Command dismissed reports alleging that armed bandits had invaded communities such as Ibeju-Lekki, Imota, and Oke-Afo, describing the claims as false, misleading, and capable of provoking public disorder.
The Command stressed that there is no record of any coordinated attack or security breach anywhere in the state, adding that schools and communities remain under adequate security surveillance.
However, the misinformation had already turned deadly.
According to the police, a 24-year-old commercial motorcyclist, identified as Kulaha Ayuba, was killed by a group of youths who wrongly suspected him of being a “Fulani bandit” following the circulation of the fake alert.
Investigations showed that the victim was attacked by a mob acting on panic-driven rumours, beaten to death, and later dumped in a swamp within the community. His motorcycle was also allegedly stolen during the incident.
The Command confirmed that 15 suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing and are currently assisting investigators as interrogation continues.
Police authorities condemned the incident, describing it as a tragic consequence of misinformation, ethnic profiling, and mob violence fueled by unverified online reports.
Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding, warning against taking the law into their own hands or acting on unverified security information.
He said the Command remains fully deployed across the state with adequate intelligence and patrol operations to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
In a related development in Ogun State, the Police Command also debunked a viral report alleging the arrest of suspected kidnappers in the Simawa area, clarifying that the individuals in the video were serving police officers mistakenly identified as criminals.
The Command said operatives were swiftly deployed to the scene, where the officers were rescued from an agitated crowd and later identified through official documents and verification from their parent unit in Lagos.
It explained that the officers had lost their way while returning from official duty and were wrongly profiled following heightened fear triggered by circulating rumours.
The Ogun Police condemned the spread of the false report, warning that misinformation continues to endanger lives, fuel mob actions, and undermine public trust in security operations.
Both Commands warned that individuals involved in spreading false information capable of inciting panic, violence, or ethnic tension would be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
They urged residents across both states to verify security-related information from official sources and rely on emergency communication channels rather than viral social media posts, reaffirming their commitment to protecting lives and property.
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