How fake news caused deaths, public, private assets destructions in Lagos – Gov Sanwo-Olu

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

“Our beautiful city has seen a level of destruction almost akin to a war zone. It was a shocking and very sad spectacle. Our land took a beating and this hurts. Historical buildings, cultural centres, private malls, government holdings and private businesses were pillaged and burnt.”

Seventy-two hours that claimants of Lekki Toll Gate mass killings of #ENDSARS protesters by soldiers have continued to fail to produce evidence of occurrence, Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has warned Nigerians resident in the state against peddling of fake news, which he noted must be condemned in strong terms.

It will be recalled that major television and radio stations, print and online newspapers in Lagos (excluding The DEFENDER) had hyped a report that soldiers of the Nigerian Army opened fire on protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate killing them enmasse.

Since the reports broke out and mainly promoted by a television station located along Lagos Ibadan Expressway with some legal and media practitioners driving it on social media under a banner tagged ‘Black Tuesday’, The DEFENDER has continued to report series of comments challenging the claimants to produce evidence of any killing at all at the scene. None has come, yet United States of America had taken position and made its judgements and pronouncements on the unverified news.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, after his on-the-spot assessment Friday of the massive, gave advice suggesting that reliance on unverified social media reports by established main media is responsible for the #ENDSARS protesters’ violence leading to loss of lives and properties as a result of angers it generated.

The governor, who declared a 24-hour curfew after protesters descended on Tuesday into attacking security personnel and burning police stations in the metropolis, said he did not order the alleged shootings by yet to be identified soldiers at the Toll Gate.

Reportedly also, the Nigerian Army said it did not order any shooting at the protesters although one of the television stations locally and foreign media including AlJazeera and BCC continued to broadcast the Lekki massacre without single dead body shown until United States and some neighbouring African countries took positions, made judgements and pronouncements condemning the act allegedly committed by the Nigerian Government.

President Buhari, in his Thursday night broadcast, said it is within the constitutional rights of citizens to express themselves through peaceful protest but warned that his government would not tolerate situation where some individuals and groups would do things that threaten national security.

He then advised the international communities to stop judging Nigeria by fake news, adding that they need to seek to know the facts of happenings in the country before taking position, making their judgements and pronouncements.

According to Governor Sanwo-Olu, citizens need to resist the urge to instigate or incite people to violence especially on social media, because he said, it is wrong to spread misinformation and create mass hysteria.

“Today, on our journey across Lagos, we paid respect to the ones we have lost. It was an emotional time for everyone, and we will find a way to remember them in the coming days.

“Lagos belongs to us all. No other state has this unique combination of people living in peace, harmony and progress so it saddened me when I went round for an on-the-spot assessment to ascertain the level of destruction to public assets and private properties.

“Our beautiful city has seen a level of destruction almost akin to a war zone. It was a shocking and very sad spectacle. Our land took a beating and this hurts. Historical buildings, cultural centres, private malls, government holdings and private businesses were pillaged and burnt.

“This is not the Lagos we know. I am the 15th governor of the state and Lagos has never witnessed this level of destruction. The oldest court in Nigeria was razed down. Many properties were completely destroyed. It is time to heal ourselves and time to heal Lagos.

“I will like to advise and implore citizens to resist the urge to instigate or incite people to violence especially on social media.

“It is wrong to spread misinformation and create mass hysteria.

“We also visited the various hospitals today to check on the progress of victims that were brought in from events this week.

“It was heartwarming to note that quite a number have been discharged. We have also indicated that we will be picking all the bills.

“Lagos will not burn. Not on my watch. Enough is enough. We want peace and we will get peace.

“As shocking and sad as this situation is, we must come out of the ashes of destruction strong and with a determination that this unfortunate situation will not kill the spirit of Lagos.

“We are Lagosians. We are known for our creativity, enterprising and can-do spirit. I am convinced that we will heal and rebuild our land. We have no other choice. It is our land and our home. We must do right by it.

“We have expanded the terms of reference for the Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution to include the incident at the Lekki toll gate. If you have any claims, do send them to the panel. The panel will begin to sit on Monday at the Lagos Court of Arbitration situated in Lekki.

“Going forward, we have to renew our commitment to peace, progress, social cohesion and make a promise to ourselves that never again shall we allow the forces of darkness take over our land.

“Because this is our land,” the Lagos State governor said in an emotion laden speech on Friday.