The Lagos State government has denounced videos being circulating online urging residents of Igbo extraction to leave the state in 48 hours or face the consequences.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu urged Lagosians to disregard to videos which he described as the tools of anarchists, whose plan is to create hatred and divisiveness for which Lagos is not known.
According to him, inciting videos of this nature are not what the state needs now, following the loss of lives and destruction that fake news, misinformation and unfounded rumours have triggered in the State in the last couple of days.
“The government appeals to Lagosians to disregard the calls of ethnic and religious jingoists as well as agents of destruction who are on a mission to destroy our State by pitching us against one another for yet to be ascertained reasons.
This is a very critical moment for us as a people. It is, therefore, important that we stand together and remain circumspect because the brewery of falsehood is unrelenting in its mission,” he said.
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He also pointed out the cultural diversity of Lagos State and that residents in the state have co-existed harmoniously for ages and will continue to live together peacefully.
“The sad incident of the past few days affected everyone who lives, trades, or works in Lagos, regardless of their tribe, culture, race and religion. This is a time for us to empathise with one another and not listen to purveyors of evil messages, especially on social media.
The government will continue to protect lives and property. Fake news and inciting message merchants are hereby warned to stop their evil enterprise or face the legal consequences of their destructive actions. Our dear State will go through this with the resilience for which we are known and come out stronger,” he said.
Gbenga Omotoso
Commissioner for Information and Strategy
