Lagos govt accuses influencers of circulating false flood images

The Lagos State Government has accused some individuals of politicising flooding in the state by circulating misleading images from other states and countries.

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The government warned that the spread of false information undermines efforts to address genuine environmental challenges.

The state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, stated this in a post on his X handle on Sunday, where he urged bloggers, social media influencers and other stakeholders to verify information before sharing it.

According to Wahab, the government had observed attempts by some individuals to push what he described as a “destructive narrative” by falsely portraying flood incidents from outside Lagos as having occurred in the state.

“We have watched with concern as some individuals have chosen to politicise the issue of flooding in Lagos by circulating misleading visuals from other states and countries that have experienced severe flooding, all in an attempt to advance a destructive narrative,” he said.

The commissioner said the state government continuously monitors developments and responds to complaints reported through different media platforms.

“However, it is deeply concerning that some bloggers and social media influencers deliberately disseminate false or misleading information solely to generate clicks and engagement, with little regard for the genuine concerns of residents and property owners whose cases deserve urgent attention and intervention,” Wahab stated.

He appealed to residents and other stakeholders to approach issues affecting Lagos with responsibility and sensitivity, stressing that accurate information is critical to developing lasting solutions.

“Accurate information is essential to addressing challenges effectively and developing lasting solutions,” he said.

While acknowledging citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of expression, Wahab said such rights should be exercised responsibly and within the confines of the law.

“We therefore urge everyone to exercise restraint, verify information before sharing it, and conduct public discourse with responsibility, civility, and respect for the collective interest of Lagos and its residents,” he added.

The commissioner also called out an X user identified as @Hhonor_, also known as Nedu, accusing the user of posting a photograph of flooding in Ghana’s capital, Accra, and presenting it as an incident in Lagos.

“Using your handle to spread misinformation by sharing a photograph of the Accra flood and presenting it as an incident in Lagos is both disingenuous and misleading.

“We encourage you to verify information before sharing it, as the dissemination of falsehoods only misleads the public and undermines genuine efforts to address real issues,” Wahab said.