The police in Ogun State and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), however, allayed the fears by rumour was unfounded.
The situation also led to serious traffic gridlock along the expressway following the presence of policemen who the the public felt were trailing members of the sect.
A rumour that members of the dreaded sect had killed over 40 policemen and civilians on the ever busy road was accompanied by pleas that people should stay away from the road.
The image maker in charge of the the Ogun State police command, Muyiwa Adejobi, while speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, described the spread of the rumour as the handiwork of the rumour mongers.
He also stated that the law enforcement agents who were seen on the road were trying to ensure a free flow of traffic after a container loaded with wheat fell. Adejobi, in a text message to the Nigerian Tribune, said, “the attention of the Ogun State police command has been drawn to a rumour on social media that Boko Haram members were operating on the Lagos -Ibadan Expressway and killed some policemen and civilians.”
He continued that “there is no iota of truth in the statement, as nothing of such happened on the expressway or any part of Ogun State.”
He added that “it is the handiwork of mischief makers to create fears on the minds of the people.”
Adejobi also said that “probably rumour mangers took the presence of the police and other security agencies at a point where a truck loaded with wheat fell across the expressway, between Fidiwo and Ogunsakin, in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state [for a Boko Haram attack].
“The command urges the general public to disregard the rumour and go about with their lawful businesses as all hands are on deck to prevent any breakdown of law and order in the state.”
The NEMA spokesperson, Ibrahim Farinloye, also refuted the rumour and stated that security men had combed every part of the expressway without any trace of the Boko Haram sect.
Meanwhile, the message which via Facebook left many motorists and Lagosians worried over the fate of their loved ones who had embarked on trips through the route.
Many Lagosians and motorists who disembarked on the journey also expressed fear that the deadly terrorist group had gained entrance into South-West region of the country. It was observed that there was traffic snarl on the expressway, as many motorists stopped their vehicles waiting to get security report on the safety of the road.
In the traffic congestion, people who had their loved ones travelling on the expressway were making frantic calls to find out if they were safe.
In a bid to face the security challenge, mobile policemen, the State Security Service (SSS), members of the Joint Task Force (JTF)and others were seen moving towards the direction in search of the rumoured Boko Haram.
Farinloye said: “The rumour started spreading on Facebook in the morning and NEMA received an alarm message on the invasion of Boko Haram on the expressway, but we discovered that it was a mere rumour.”
Farinloye added that the rumour had it that nine policemen and 11 civilians had been killed by the Boko Haram sect on the expressway, saying that after the police and soldiers combed the expressway, nothing was discovered, making the whole episode a rumour.
He said: “This is to inform the general public that NEMA received a false alert about a purported Boko Haram attack on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway but it is a complete lie and it is unfounded. Security agencies have combed all routes and beyond without any trace of such incidents.
“Mischief makers broadcasting this evil machination are strongly warned to desist from circulating unfounded messages in the country. The public should disregard and discourage further circulation of such inciting messages against the nation.”
Also, the Oyo State Police command, on Wednesday in Ibadan, urged residents to desist from spreading false information capable of breaching the peace.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Olabisi Okuwobi-Ilobanafor, stated this in a press release issued to dispel the rumour that Boko Haram members had laid siege to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Wednesday.
“The story that 18 suspected Boko Haram members operated on the highway with AK-47 rifles, killing nine policemen and 11 civilians, is untrue.
“There was an occurrence of a lone auto accident involving a trailer loaded with bags of wheat.
“FRSC officials, policemen and other security officers were only at the scene to control traffic and clear the gridlock,” she said.
Tribune
God help that country
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