Lagos Govt Condemns Use of Foreign Flood Photos to Spread False Narrative

Lagos Govt Condemns Use of Foreign Flood Photos to Spread False Narrative
Says Flood Misinformation Undermines Response
Urges Bloggers to Verify Flood Reports

The Lagos State Government has accused some individuals of politicising flooding in the state by circulating misleading images from other states and countries, warning that the spread of false information undermines efforts to address genuine environmental challenges.

Contents

EDITOR’S PICK
FURTHER READING

Eko Hot Blog reports that the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made the allegation in a post on his verified X handle on Sunday, urging bloggers, social media influencers and other stakeholders to verify information before sharing it.

EDITOR’S PICK

According to Wahab, the government had observed attempts by some individuals to promote what he described as a “destructive narrative” by falsely presenting flood incidents from outside Lagos as if they occurred within 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 noted that the state government constantly monitors developments and promptly responds to complaints reported through traditional and social media platforms.

He, however, expressed concern over what he described as the deliberate spread of false information by some bloggers and social media influencers in a bid to attract online engagement.

“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 stakeholders to approach issues affecting Lagos with responsibility and sensitivity, stressing that accurate information is essential to addressing environmental challenges effectively.

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

While acknowledging citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of expression, Wahab maintained that such rights should be exercised responsibly and within the provisions 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_, popularly known as Nedu, accusing the user of sharing a photograph of flooding in Accra, Ghana, and falsely 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.