'Deleting the Post Won't Save You' — Lagos Vows to Sue X User Over Fake Flood Video from Bangladesh

Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.

The Lagos State Government has threatened to institute legal proceedings against an X user who shared a misleading flood video falsely claiming it depicted flooding in Lagos State, with the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, insisting that deleting the post after it was debunked would not shield the user from prosecution. Wahab made the announcement in a series of posts on X on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, after investigations revealed that the viral footage shared by the user, popularly known as "Enugu Loudspeaker" and identified on the platform as @Jamessucre2, was not recorded in Lagos or anywhere in Nigeria but originated from Bangladesh.

In a direct message to the user, Wahab wrote: "The flood video you shared and attributed to Lagos State is actually from Bangladesh. We kindly encourage you to verify the authenticity and origin of such content before sharing it, as the dissemination of inaccurate information can mislead the public and undermine genuine discussions about issues affecting Lagos." The commissioner further warned that the government would not be deterred by the removal of the post. "Taking down the post after misleading the public does not absolve you of the responsibility. Appropriate legal action will still be pursued, and this matter will be taken to its logical conclusion in accordance with the law," Wahab said.

Wahab stressed that while the state respects the constitutional right to freedom of expression, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within legal boundaries. "While we acknowledge and respect everyone's right to freedom of expression, it is important to recognize that every right comes with corresponding responsibilities and legal limits," he said. He added that the deliberate spread of false information undermines the government's efforts, creates unnecessary panic, and diminishes the credibility of legitimate complaints raised by residents regarding environmental and infrastructure challenges.

Following the government's clarification, the X user admitted that the footage was not recorded in Nigeria and subsequently removed the post. "It's been confirmed to have happened outside the country. The post has been taken down," the user wrote. Despite the public retraction and deletion, Wahab said the state government would still pursue legal action, insisting that individuals who knowingly or negligently spread false information should be held accountable. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the dangers of misinformation and the legal risks associated with sharing unverified content on social media platforms, as the Lagos State Government signals a zero-tolerance approach to fake news that could mislead the public or undermine genuine discourse about the state's challenges.

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