Parents in Lagos rushed to schools after false reports of a bandit attack in Eleko and Imota caused panic. Police and authorities have dismissed the claims
Parents in parts of Lagos State rushed to schools on Monday following reports of a suspected bandit attack in communities around Eleko and Imota.
The reports later turned out to be false.
The panic spread across schools in Eleko, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area.
Messages circulated claiming bandits had entered the area.
Several schools reportedly activated emergency pick-up procedures.
A parent whose children attend Davdan Nursery and Primary School, Eleko, said she was contacted by the school.
She said parents were told to pick up their children immediately.
According to her, the alert spread quickly across nearby schools.
Children were reportedly sent home in large numbers.
However, authorities later dismissed the reports as misinformation.
School officials said there was no confirmed security threat.
The panic was also linked to claims aired during a call-in radio programme.
The broadcast alleged that two schoolgirls were killed in Imota.
An education official in Agbowa said the alarm was triggered by an unrelated incident.
The Executive Chairman of Imota LCDA, Benson Ayodele, also refuted the claims.
He described the reports as false and unverified.
He urged residents to ignore unconfirmed social media information.
The Lagos State Police Command also dismissed the alleged attack.
Police spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, described the report as false.
She said the command would review viral videos circulating online.
Authorities have warned against spreading unverified security information.
They said misinformation can create unnecessary panic in communities.
Investigations into the source of the rumours are expected to continue.
Residents have been advised to rely on official security channels for updates.
The incident highlights the growing impact of misinformation on public safety in Lagos.
