The Lagos state police command has warned against fake news which it said is being circulated all over the social media with intent to cause panic, disharmony and unrest within Lagos State ahead of the governorship and house of assembly election holding this weekend.
The police command urged residents of the state to disregard all forms of messages, especially on social media depicting fictitious, fallacious and preposterous claims aimed at jeopardizing the peace currently being enjoyed in the state, adding that it has fully deployed its human and operational resources in conjunction with sister security agencies to ensure free, fair and credible elections.
The statement read;
2023 ELECTIONS: POLICE WARN FAKE NEWS PURVEYORS AND MISCHIEF-MAKERS- Reassure electorate of optimal security
The Lagos State Police Command is not unaware of malicious, inciting, provocative and seditious contents being circulated all over the social media with intent to cause panic, disharmony and unrest within Lagos State.
While the Command has begun investigating this scaremongering with a view to apprehending and prosecuting those found culpable, the good people and residents of Lagos State are urged to disregard all forms of messages, especially on social media depicting fictitious, fallacious and preposterous claims aimed at jeopardizing the peace currently being enjoyed in the state.
As the second phase of elections approach, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Idowu Owohunwa, once again assures the electorate that the Command has fully deployed its human and operational resources in conjunction with sister security agencies to ensure free, fair and credible elections.
Voters are therefore encouraged to come out to exercise their franchise and not succumb to the panic tactics of a few unpatriotic elements masquerading as concerned and well intentioned Nigerians on social media.
It is equally imperative to warn against mischief around the polling units and collation centers and beyond, as anyone found culpable will be promptly arrested and dealt with in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, Lagosians are enjoined to call the Police should they notice any untoward happening around them on any of the following emergency numbers: 08127155132, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870.
SP BENJAMIN HUNDEYIN, anipr, mipra
Police Public Relations Officer,Lagos State Command,Ikeja-Lagos.