Lagos State Government warns against false flood images

The Lagos State Government has accused some people of using flooding issues for political gain by sharing misleading images from other states and countries.

The government said that spreading false information makes it harder to deal with real environmental problems.

Tokunbo Wahab, the state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, shared this message on his X account on Sunday. He asked bloggers, social media influencers, and others to check facts before sharing.

Wahab noted that the government has seen attempts by some individuals to push what he called a “destructive narrative.” This involves wrongly showing flood events from outside Lagos as happening 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 mentioned that the state government is always monitoring situations and responding to complaints from different media sources.

“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 urged residents and others to address issues affecting Lagos with care and understanding, stressing that correct information is key to finding lasting solutions.

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

While acknowledging that citizens have the right to free speech, Wahab said this freedom should be used responsibly and within 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 pointed out an X user named @Hhonor_, known as Nedu. He accused this user of posting a photo of flooding in Accra, Ghana, and claiming it was from 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.