The Lagos State Police Command has firmly debunked and denounced recent viral reports claiming that hundreds of suspected Boko Haram insurgents were apprehended within Lagos State. The command described the circulating report as entirely baseless, misleading, and designed to provoke unnecessary fear and unrest among the citizens.
This rebuttal was made public through an official statement released on Friday by the command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin. In the statement, Hundeyin categorically declared that no such arrests had been recorded anywhere within the state and urged the public to dismiss the falsehood being spread on social media platforms and some online blogs.
“Following the circulation of the unverified and malicious report, the Lagos State Police Command immediately swung into action to investigate the claims and verify the situation at the alleged locations,” Hundeyin said.
He revealed that detectives, operatives from the State Intelligence Department (SID), and other specialised units were dispatched to the trailer parks and communities mentioned in the report. According to him, after thorough checks and interactions with community leaders, park operators, and drivers, no evidence or incident of the alleged arrest of Boko Haram members was discovered.
“The outcome of our investigation is clear — there is no record of the presence, sighting, or arrest of Boko Haram suspects anywhere across Lagos State, whether at the parks, markets, or any other location. The police teams verified these claims physically and through credible intelligence sources, and nothing credible was established to support the alarming report,” Hundeyin stated.
The police spokesperson went on to condemn the misinformation as not only false but also maliciously intended to incite fear and panic among residents of the state. He warned against the reckless spread of unfounded stories capable of threatening the peace and public order within Lagos.
“It is unfortunate and despicable that anyone would manufacture such a serious allegation without evidence or concern for the consequences. We want to assure Lagosians that the security situation in the state remains stable and closely monitored by all relevant security agencies,” Hundeyin added.
Furthermore, the command reiterated its commitment to maintaining the safety and security of lives and property in Lagos and urged the public to remain calm and go about their lawful activities without fear. Residents were also advised to confirm sensitive news from official and credible sources before sharing or reacting to them.
The statement concluded with a call for citizens to support security agencies by providing credible information and reporting any suspicious activities in their communities to help preserve peace and safety within the state.