Monsuroh Abdulsemiu and Busola Alamu


SUMMARY


A news story making round on news websites and social media suggested that the Governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has lifted the lockdown in the state for the Easter celebration.


CONCLUSION


The claim is false and lacks substance. The Commissioner of information, Gbenga Omotosho debunked the claim in all its entirety. The Governor of Lagos state never made any statement specifying that the state lockdown has been lifted for the celebration of Easter, it was published with the intention to mislead the public


FULL STORY


Following the instruction of the federal government of Nigeria that Lagos, Ogun, and Abuja be locked down for a period of 14 days in a press release on the 29th of March 2020. Lagos state has then embarked on the lockdown now on its 11th day with different measures and security personels designated to strategic places to ensure compliance.


The viral news story claimed that the governor of Lagos has ordered that the lockdown be lifted for today to allow for Easter celebration and shopping between the hours of 8:00 am 4:00 pm today which the governor has debunked on his official twitter handle –  Babajide Sanwo-Olu.


VERIFICATION


Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho debunked this claim in a press briefing yesterday, 9th April 2020 and also on his Official Twitter account.

He said, ” The lockdown is still on, I implore Lagosians to continue to obey the directives and continue to be responsible because that is the only way experts have said we can fight this disease.

He revealed that if the lockdown is going to be extended it will be done by the federal government and not Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Nothing of such was found in major and credible news outlets and this project foul play and also the governor on his official twitter account tweeted earlier today to discredit the claim.

Any story without the name of its author, not verified by credible news outlets,posted by a faceless blog or no mention of the specific event and date a statement was made should be discarded and not be circulated.

#Stopthespreadoffakenews#
#Takeresponsibility#