Alimosho council warns residents against fake security alerts and misinformation spreading panic across communities in Lagos
The Chairman of Alimosho Local Government Area in Lagos State, Mr Johnson Akinpelu, has issued a strong warning to residents over the circulation of fake security alerts and misleading information capable of causing panic in communities.
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Akinpelu gave the warning in a statement on Tuesday, expressing concern over what he described as the growing spread of false news, old videos and unverified security reports within the local government area.
He said the trend poses a serious threat to public safety and social harmony, especially as some individuals deliberately circulate outdated footage of violent incidents and present them as current events.
According to him, such actions are irresponsible and dangerous, as they can trigger unnecessary fear among residents and destabilise peaceful communities.
He said, “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 added that some residents have continued to share old videos of violent incidents from other countries or past years, falsely linking them to 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 in order to create fear and panic among residents,” he said.
Akinpelu urged Community Development Associations, the Christian Association of Nigeria and the League of Imams to intensify sensitisation efforts within their communities to discourage the spread of unverified information.
He also called on the National Orientation Agency to strengthen public enlightenment campaigns aimed at tackling misinformation and fake alerts.
He warned that false information has the potential to spark communal tension if not properly checked, urging security agencies to step up monitoring and enforcement.
The council chairman also raised concerns about scavengers operating within neighbourhoods, alleging that some have been linked to criminal activities, and advised residents to restrict their access to residential areas.
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He maintained that waste management services in the area are already being handled by licensed operators under the Private Sector Participation arrangement.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
