There was palpable anxiety yesterday in Ogun State over alarming text message in circulation, warning travellers – going to either Ibadan or Lagos, to steer away from the Lagos – Ibadan expressway for their safety.
The text message which were being circulated on GSM phones and facebook pages warned would be travellers on the designated route that over a dozen of members of the extremists Boko Haram sect bearing AK – 47 riffle had taken over the expressway and equally shot dead civilians and a number of police officers trying to repel their attack.
The fear aroused in residents of Ogun, particularly travellers was compounded by a gridlock experienced yesterday at the Iwo and Ogunmakin stretch the expressway in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, as people unable to have free flow of traffic soon began to believe the rumour as true.
Many turned back, half way into the journey while others didn’t venture to take off, waiting until there was assurance of safety.
Reacting, the Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who acknowledged the false and alarming text message in circulation, told The nation that there was no Boko haram attack in Ogun state.
Adejobi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police(DSP), said the gridlock which was perhaps mistaken for Boko haram attack, resulted from a truck carrying wheat flour that fell on the highway and obstructed movement at the Iwo and Ogunmakin stretch of expressway in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state.
Adejobi said: “The attention of the Ogun State Police Command has been drawn to a rumour widely circulated on social media that Boko Haram members were on the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway displaying AK47 rifles and killed some policemen and civilians.
“There was no iota of truth in this social media broadcast as nothing of such happened along the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway or any other part of Ogun State.
“Probably the rumour mongers took the presence of police and other security agencies at a point where a truck loaded with wheat fell across the express between Fidiwo and Ogunmakin in Obafemi Owode local Government Area of Ogun State for Boko Haram attack. The police and other security agenicies including Nigerian Army,Federal Road Safety Corps and TRACE( Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps of Ogun State) are at the point to clear the obstruction for free flow of traffic and not a Boko Haram attack.
“The rumour was a handiwork of mischief makers who wanted to create fears in the minds of the people of Ogun state and Nigerians in general.
“The command therefore debunks this rumour and urges the general public to disregard it and go about their lawful businesses as all hands are on deck to curtail any threats or security challenges in Ogun state and even beyond its boundaries.
“The Commissioner of Police Ogun State Mr. Ikemefuna Okoye has assured the people of the state of adequate protection of lives and property;and has put all officers and men of the command on red alert to forestall any break down of law and order.
“The command also wishes to give out the following telephone numbers to contact the police in case of any strange movements or faces within the state. The numbers are 08081770416 or 08081770419 or 08036197688(State Intelligence Bureau).
“The command urges d general public to disregard d rumour and go about their lawful businesses as all hands a on deck to curtail any break down of law and order in d state.”
Source: The Nation
