LASG to Prosecute X User for Sharing Fake Flood Video

LASG to Prosecute X User for Sharing Fake Flood Video
Says Bangladesh Flood Video Was Falsely Linked to State
Warns Against Spreading False Information

The Lagos State Government has announced plans to institute legal proceedings against an X user accused of sharing a misleading flood video falsely claiming it was recorded in Lagos.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed the development in a series of posts on X on Tuesday, insisting that deleting the post after it was exposed as false would not exempt the individual from prosecution.

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According to Wahab, the viral video shared by the user, identified as “Enugu Loudspeaker (#Jamessucre2),” was not filmed in Lagos but originated from Bangladesh.

“The flood video you shared and attributed to Lagos State is actually from Bangladesh,” Wahab said.

He urged social media users to verify the authenticity of information before sharing it, warning that the spread of false content could mislead the public and undermine genuine conversations about issues affecting the state.

“We kindly encourage you to verify the authenticity and origin of such content before sharing it, as the dissemination of inaccurate information can mislead the public and undermine genuine discussions about issues affecting Lagos,” he added.

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The commissioner maintained that removing the post after it had been debunked would not prevent the government from taking legal action.

“Taking down the post after misleading the public does not absolve you of the responsibility. Appropriate legal action will still be pursued, and this matter will be taken to its logical conclusion in accordance with the law,” he stated.

Wahab stressed that while the Lagos State Government respects citizens’ right to freedom of expression, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the limits of the law.

He argued that the deliberate spread of false information not only undermines government efforts but also weakens the credibility of genuine complaints raised by residents.

Following the government’s clarification, the X user acknowledged that the footage did not originate from Nigeria and confirmed that the post had been deleted.

“It’s been confirmed to have happened outside the country. The post has been taken down,” the user wrote.

Despite the retraction, the Lagos State Government reiterated its determination to pursue the matter in accordance with the law, describing the incident as a deliberate act of misinformation.