The Lagos State government has warned ethnic and religious jingoists calling for “war” and circulating inciting videos on social media, to desist or face prosecution.
The government also urged the residents of the state to disregard all forms of inciting videos circulating online. The state government did not specifically cite any particular video.
The government in a statement signed by Gbenga Omotosho, commissioner for information and strategy, condemned the inciting video.
It said: “The attention of the Lagos State government has been drawn to videos in social media and the online space, creating tension and encouraging ethnic conflicts.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged Lagosians to disregard the videos, which are the tools of anarchists, whose plan is to create hatred and divisiveness for which Lagos is not known.”
The statement said inciting videos of this nature are not what the society needs now given the loss of lives and destruction that fake news, misinformation, and unfounded rumours have triggered in Lagos in the last couple of days.
The government appealed to Lagosians to disregard the calls of ethnic and religious jingoists as well as agents of destruction who are on a mission to destroy the state by pitching the residents 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.
Lagos State is the melting point of various cultures, tribes, and religions across Nigeria. We have co-existed harmoniously for ages and will continue to live together peacefully.”
The government said the incident of the past few days affected everyone who lives, trades, or works in Lagos, regardless of their tribe, culture, race, and religion, stressing that “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 reiterated its commitment to continue to protect lives and properties across the state.
“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,” the government said in the statement
