The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Manko, yesterday debunked claims that members of Boko Haram infiltrated Lagos/Ibadan expressway, killing nine policemen and 11 civilians.
According to Manko, some hoodlums attempted to highjack trucks loaded with wheat, leading to fracas, which attracted police attention and intervention.
The rumour, that Boko Haram members had landed in Lagos State, and were killing people, started in the early hours of the morning via the BBM social media and spread like wildfire before 10am.
Addressing journalists in his office at the police headquarters Ikeja, Manko said: “There’s nothing true about the story. There’s no Boko Haram in Lagos. What happened today was that trucks loaded with bags of wheat were stopped along the Lagos/Ibadan expressway by hoodlums who wanted to highjack the bags of wheat. The hoodlums had an encounter with police. That’s what people saw and panicked. Lagosians should go about their lawful activities.”
He added that while the news was not genuine, the command had however drafted teams of police to the axis.
Reacting to continuous panics being created by BBM users, Manko said: “We can’t do anything about social media network users. We can’t police it. What we can do however is to let members of the public know the truth, that such rumours are not true! We however urge people not to create panic. People should learn to provide relevant and accurate information.”
Also reacting to the rumour, Ogun State Police Command, spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi said: “The attention of the Ogun State Command has been drawn to a rumour widely broadcasted on social media that Boko Haram members are operating along Lagos/Ibadan Express Way and killed some policemen and civilians.
“There was no iota of truth in the statement as nothing of such happened along the express or any part of Ogun State. It’s the handiwork of mischief makers to create fears in d minds of people.
“Probably the rumour mongers took the presence of police and other security agencies at a point where a truck, loaded with wheat, fell across the expressway between Fidiwo and Ogunmakin in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State for Boko Haram attack.
“The police and other security agencies, including FRSC, TRACE, and NA are at the point to clear the obstruction and not a Boko Haram attack. The command urges the general public to disregard the rumour and go about their lawful businesses as all hands are on deck to curtail any break down of law and order in the state.”
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