Fake security alerts threaten public safety, Alimosho LG boss warns

The Chairman of Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, Johnson Akinpelu, has warned residents against the growing circulation of unverified information and false security alerts, describing the trend as a threat to public safety and social harmony. Akinpelu, in a statement issued on Tuesday, expressed concern over what he called the increasing spread of fake news and misleading security reports capable of creating fear and panic in communities. “Our concern now is how people are increasingly spreading fake news and false security alarms in the community. This poses a serious threat to public safety and social harmony,” he said. The council chairman’s warning comes barely 24 hours after the Lagos State police command debunked reports claiming that bandits had invaded communities, including Ibeju-Lekki, Imota and Oke-Afo, targeting schools and children. The police, through the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, described the widely circulated graphic alerts as “false, misleading and unfounded,” insisting that there was no security crisis or coordinated attack on any school or community in the state. The command urged residents to disregard the reports, saying they were intended to create unnecessary panic and apprehension among members of the public. Reacting to the development, Akinpelu accused some individuals of deliberately recycling old videos and incidents from other countries and presenting them as current events. “Some individuals have developed the habit of circulating misleading information and old videos of violent incidents from other countries or previous years. They falsely portray them as current events to create fear and panic among residents,” he said. The council boss described the practice as irresponsible and dangerous, warning that it could undermine public confidence and trigger avoidable tension within communities. Related News APC chieftain condemns school abductions, urges stronger security measures N75,000 COVID grant rumour causes stir in Jigawa Ekiti poll: Oyebanji warns opposition against fake news “It is becoming a disturbing trend for some people to raise false alarms by sharing unverified and misleading information, especially videos of incidents that occurred years ago or in other countries, and presenting them as recent events. “This act is irresponsible, dangerous and capable of causing unnecessary panic,” he added. Akinpelu called on Community Development Associations, the Christian Association of Nigeria, the League of Imams and other community stakeholders to intensify sensitisation effort