Joy Anyim
The Lagos State Police Command has dispelled the rumour on a brewing clash between the Igbo and the Yoruba in Lagos State, describing it as the ‘handiwork of fake news peddlers’.
According to Commissioner of Police, CP Zubairu Muazu, who addressed a press conference on the issue, on Tuesday, said fake news was a menace the Command was contending with.
CP Muazu said he had met with the Igbo trading community, the Hausa community, the Yoruba community and others to ensure peaceful co-existence.
Said he, “One serious issue the Command is contending with now is the menace of fake news circulated on the social media, on a plan attack on Igbo traders in Lagos especially in Oshodi and other prominent markets by hoodlums.
“The Command did not only make press statement debunking such rumors but took practical steps to reassure the Igbo community and all other residents of Lagos State of their safety.
“We have made massive deployment of our special force to streets and markets as well as vulnerable areas.
“We equally arranged town hall meetings over the last few days. On Wednesday, we met with Igbo trading community, led by Eze Ndi Igbo of Oshodi, Hausa Community, Yoruba community and others.
“Let me re-emphaisis that Lagos State is peaceful and Lagosians are peace loving people. There is no tribe or community under threat in any part of the state.
“I would want to sound a big warning to initiators and distributors of fake news. We will identify you; isolate you and bring you to justice.
“To the good and law-abiding people of Lagos State, do not just believe everything you see on the social media.
“You are free to always verify such information or news from us before attempting to press the forward button on your phone, so that you will not become a victim of fake news. ”
Speaking on the strategies the Command had put in place to ensure a hitch free Governorship and state House of Assembly elections, the Commissioner of Police continued, “Our patrol and surveillance are intensified. We have reviewed and redoubled our strategies to ensure a peaceful conduct of Gubernatorial and State House of Assembly Elections.
“I call on Lagosians to go about their lawful businesses and to continue to support the police to serve them better by being vigilant and report any suspicious movement or persons to the police through our emergency numbers.”
