Lagos Police Debunk Viral Video of Armed Fulani Men in Ikorodu, Say It’s Old Footage

The Lagos State Police Command has weighed in on a viral video circulating on social media that purportedly showed the arrest of armed Fulani men in the Ikorodu area of the state, clarifying that the footage is over three years old and does not reflect the current security situation in Lagos.

The video, which had been widely shared on platforms including WhatsApp and X (formerly Twitter), sparked concern among Lagos residents who feared a resurgence of banditry in the state. But the police command moved swiftly to set the record straight.

Old Video, New Panic

In a statement released by the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, the command explained that a careful review of the clip revealed it to be from an incident dating back more than three years — well before the current security architecture under Commissioner of Police Olohundare Adekunle Jimoh was put in place.

“The video currently making the rounds does not represent the current security reality in Ikorodu or anywhere in Lagos State. It is an old clip from over three years ago that has been taken out of context and re-circulated to create unnecessary panic among law-abiding residents. Members of the public are advised to disregard it,” the statement read.

The command urged residents to remain calm and continue their lawful activities without fear, assuring them that Lagos remains one of the safest states in the country.

Combating Misinformation

The incident highlights the growing challenge of misinformation in Nigeria’s digital space, where old videos and images are frequently recycled to fit current narratives — often with the intent of stoking ethnic or religious tensions. Security analysts have warned that such disinformation campaigns can have real-world consequences, including mob action, panic, and unnecessary deployments of security resources.

The Lagos Police Command called on social media users to verify information before sharing and to report suspicious content to the authorities.

While the original video could not be independently located on X at the time of this report, the police have assured the public that any genuine security threats will be communicated through official channels in real time.

For now, Lagosians can breathe easy — but the episode serves as a reminder that in the age of viral content, seeing is no longer always believing.