Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has announced that the state government will pursue legal action against an X user accused of sharing a false flood video and presenting footage from Bangladesh as an incident in Lagos.
The government said the social media user, known as Enugu Loudspeaker and identified on X as #Jamessucre2, removed the post after it was confirmed that the footage was recorded outside Nigeria.
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Wahab said deleting the content would not prevent possible legal consequences, warning that social media users must take responsibility for information they publish online.
“The flood video you shared and attributed to Lagos State is actually from Bangladesh,” Wahab stated while addressing the claim.
The commissioner explained that the spread of inaccurate information could mislead residents and distract from genuine concerns about environmental challenges affecting communities across Lagos.
He acknowledged the importance of freedom of expression but stressed that such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the boundaries of the law.
The controversy began after the X user shared the video as evidence of flooding in Lagos. Following verification that the footage originated from Bangladesh, the user admitted the mistake and removed the post.
“It’s been confirmed to have happened outside the country. The post has been taken down,” the user wrote.
However, Wahab maintained that removing the post after it had gained public attention did not erase the potential impact of the claim.
“Taking down the post after misleading the public does not absolve you of the responsibility,” the commissioner said.
“Appropriate legal action will still be pursued, and this matter will be taken to its logical conclusion in accordance with the law.”
The incident comes amid wider concerns over misinformation on digital platforms, where misleading images and videos can quickly influence public perception during emergencies and public debates.
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The Lagos State Government urged residents and online users to verify the source and accuracy of information before sharing content, particularly material relating to public safety and environmental issues.
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.
