Lagos State Government Accuses Influencers of Weaponizing Fake Flood Images

The Lagos State Government has hit back at bloggers and social media influencers, accusing them of deliberately spreading misleading and out-of-context flood images to drive a "destructive narrative" against the state administration. The State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made the allegation on Sunday, July 5, 2026, cautioning online actors against politicizing genuine environmental challenges for digital engagement.

According to the commissioner, the government has noticed a troubling trend where severe flood visuals from other Nigerian states and neighboring countries are being falsely repackaged and posted as recent occurrences in Lagos. While heavy rainfall in late June did trigger flash flooding across areas like Gbagada, Agege, and Iyana-Ipaja, the Ministry stated that internet personalities are exploiting the situation. Wahab specifically called out an X user, @Hhonor_ (popularly known as Nedu), for publicizing a photograph of a severe flood in Accra, Ghana, and presenting it to his followers as a current disaster in Lagos.

"It is deeply concerning that some bloggers and social media influencers deliberately disseminate false or misleading information solely to generate clicks and engagement, with little regard for the genuine concerns of residents and property owners whose cases deserve urgent attention and intervention."
— Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources

The government maintained that while citizens retain the constitutional right to freedom of expression, public discourse must be conducted responsibly. Officials emphasized that emergency response teams continuously monitor various media channels to address actual drainage blockages and distress calls. Spreading fabricated visual data, the Ministry warned, actively misleads the public and undermines real intervention efforts.

What are your thoughts on the Lagos State Government's warning to social media influencers regarding fake flood images? Drop your comments below!

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