The Imota Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State has dismissed reports claiming that bandits attacked a public primary school in the community and killed two schoolgirls, describing the information as false, misleading and capable of causing unnecessary panic among residents.
The council authority gave the clarification on Monday following the circulation of a viral video and a radio broadcast which alleged that armed bandits invaded a school in Imota and killed two pupils.
The report, which quickly spread across social media platforms, generated anxiety among parents, residents and other members of the public who feared that insecurity had reached schools within the community.
However, the Executive Chairman of Imota LCDA, Benson Sunday Ayodele, said there was no truth in the report and assured residents that the area remains peaceful and secure.
In a statement issued on Monday, the chairman said investigations and available security information showed that no such incident occurred anywhere within the council area.
“The attention of the Imota Local Council Development Area has been drawn to a viral video being circulated by GBEDU 100.1FM and across some social media platforms, alleging that two girls were killed at a primary school in Imota LCDA.
“We wish to state categorically that the information contained in the video is false, misleading, and entirely unfounded. There is no verified report, official record, or credible security information confirming the alleged incident within Imota LCDA,” Ayodele stated.
According to him, the local government immediately reviewed the claims after they began circulating widely and found no evidence to support the allegation.
The chairman expressed concern over the increasing spread of unverified information capable of creating fear and disrupting public peace.
He warned that false reports relating to security matters often have serious consequences because they can trigger panic among residents and create confusion within communities.
Ayodele noted that many viral reports shared on social media are often recycled from old incidents, taken out of context or entirely fabricated.
He urged residents to be cautious when receiving information online and advised them to verify security-related reports through official channels before sharing them with others.
The chairman stressed that residents should rely on information from recognised government institutions, security agencies and credible media organisations rather than unverified social media posts.
“The safety and security of all residents remain a top priority of our administration, and we encourage everyone to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding while continuing their daily activities without fear,” he said.
The clarification comes at a time when concerns over insecurity remain high across many parts of Nigeria.
In recent years, reports of bandit attacks, kidnappings and other violent crimes in some parts of the country have heightened public sensitivity to security-related information.
As a result, reports of attacks often spread rapidly online, even before they are verified by security agencies.
The false report concerning Imota gained further attention after it was aired during a live phone-in program on GBEDU 100.1FM, a community-based radio station.
According to the station’s management, the information was received from callers who contacted the program and claimed that bandits had invaded a school in the community.
Following public criticism and the clarification by local authorities, the radio station issued a formal apology and admitted that the report was aired without proper verification.
In a statement signed by the Chairman and Programs Director of the station, Dayo Ajiteru, the management accepted responsibility for the mistake.
The station explained that the misinformation originated from calls received during a live broadcast.
“During our live phone-in segment, we received calls from listeners alleging that ‘Imota is on fire’ and that ‘bandits are in a public school’ with ‘two girls affected’.
“In the urgency to inform, the information was aired without full verification from security agencies and community leaders,” the statement said.
The management disclosed that after the broadcast, immediate efforts were made to verify the claims through the Nigeria Police, local government authorities and community leaders.
According to the station, all inquiries confirmed that there was no attack and that the community remained peaceful.
“Following immediate checks with the Nigeria Police, Local Government officials, and community leaders in Imota, we confirm that everywhere is calm in Imota.
“There is no bandit attack reported at any public school as of this time. No casualties have been recorded,” the statement added.
The station expressed regret over the anxiety the report may have caused among residents, particularly parents whose children attend schools within the community.
It also apologised to students, teachers and other members of the public who may have been affected by the false report.
“GBEDU 100.1FM regrets any fear, panic, or distress this unverified news may have caused parents, students, and residents. We take full responsibility for broadcasting the information before confirming facts. Journalistic ethics and the safety of our community remain our top priority,” the station stated.
The apology has drawn attention to the growing challenge of misinformation and fake news in Nigeria’s information space.
Security authorities across the country have encouraged citizens to verify information before sharing it, noting that false alarms can divert resources away from genuine emergencies.
Residents of Imota have since welcomed the clarification from the local government and security stakeholders, expressing relief that the reported incident did not occur.
Many parents who initially feared for the safety of their children have also been reassured by the confirmation that schools in the area remain safe and operational.
Ayodele reiterated the commitment of his administration to maintaining peace and security in the community and urged residents to continue supporting lawful efforts aimed at safeguarding lives and property.
He also appealed to the public to avoid spreading unverified information and to remain calm while going about their normal activities.
For now, authorities maintain that Imota remains peaceful, with no record of any bandit attack on schools, while both the local government and the radio station have called for greater responsibility in the sharing and dissemination of information.