Etim Ekpimah
The Lagos State Police Command has allayed the fears of the public, particularly Lagosians on the trending fake news that Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge has become a kidnappers’ den and security threat to people who live around the area and those plying the route.
The police command said it has been stunned by the news making waves on the social media that the bridge is dangerous and deadly as many have been kidnapped on the bridge and some ransoms paid.
A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Saturday, noted that the news has been circulated repeatedly on the social media, hence the command’s refuter to clear the air.
According to the statement, the command wishes to state categorically that no kidnapping or information about kidnapping incident in the area has been recorded by the command, either on the 12th March, 2021, as being speculated, or before the date, contrary to the rumours being peddled by mischief makers for reasons best known to them.
“There is heavy presence of the police as the Rapid Response Squad’s team and operatives attached to Ikoyi Division have 24-hour pin down point and a makeshift structure as operational room are located at a strategic place along the bridge plus the deployment of one serviceable Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) to solidify the security arrangement of the area.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has appealed to the public to disregard the news and move freely on all roads and in all areas of Lagos State as no road or area has been declared a ‘No Go Area’ in the state.
“The police boss has also reaffirmed that adequate deployment has been put in place to fortify the security, both covert and overt, across the length and breadth of Lagos State,” he said.
Odumosu, however, warned mischief makers and those peddling fake news to desist or be made to face the full wrath of the law.
He reminded them that sharing or peddling fake news and information on social media platforms is tantamount to gross violation of the provisions of the extant laws of the land and it is hereby criminal.