Police warn fake news purveyors, mischief-makers

Reassure electorate of optimal security
Lagos State Police Command has warned against malicious, inciting, provocative and seditious contents being circulated on social media with intent to cause panic, disharmony and unrest within the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, who gave the warning in a statement, yesterday, said the command had begun investigation of the scaremongering with a view to apprehending and prosecuting those found culpable.

He urged Lagosians to disregard all forms of messages, especially on social media, depicting fictitious, fallacious and preposterous claims aimed at jeopardising the peace currently being enjoyed in the state.

He said: “As the second phase of the elections approaches, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Idowu Owohunwa, once again assures the electorate that the Command has fully deployed its human and operational resources in conjunction with sister security agencies to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

Voters are therefore encouraged to come out to exercise their franchise and not succumb to the panic tactics of a few unpatriotic elements masquerading as concerned and well-intentioned Nigerians on social media.

“It is equally imperative to warn against mischief around the polling units and collation centres and beyond, as anyone found culpable will be promptly arrested and dealt with in accordance with the law.

“Meanwhile, Lagosians are enjoined to call the police should they notice any untoward happening around them on any of the following emergency numbers: 08127155132, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870.”