The Lagos state police command has described rumours of thugs attacking Igbo traders at Oshodi, a suburb in the state, as false.
In a statement on Monday, Chike Oti, the command’s spokesperson, said such rumours were being spread on social media and had led to “distress calls from concerned Nigerians.”
He said the police had intensified patrols and surveillance to allay the fears of members of the public.
“Attention of the Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to the news on the internet to the effect that a group of boys popularly called the ‘Area boys’ are attacking Igbo traders at Oshodi, preventing them from opening their shops,” Oti said in a statement.
“The command wishes to debunk the rumour in its entirety as nothing could be further from the truth. Although the command received distress calls from concerned Nigerians whose apprehensions were understandably heightened by disturbing rumours emanating from some social media platforms.
“The command swiftly and massively deployed its personnel drawn from various units to Oshodi and environs to assuage the feelings of residents.”
The police spokesman assured Lagos residents of the command’s readiness to “decisively deal” with any person or group of persons attempting to breach public peace.
