Police Arrest 15 After Mob Killed Motorcyclist Over False Bandit Claim In Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has revealed that a commercial motorcyclist was killed by a mob after residents acted on false rumours of a bandit attack and wrongly identified him as a criminal.

In a statement on Monday, police spokesperson Abimbola Adebisi dismissed viral claims on social media that bandits had invaded areas such as Ibeju-Lekki, Imota, and Oke-Afo, allegedly targeting schools and children.

She described the reports as false and warned the public against spreading unverified information that could trigger panic and unrest.

“The claims contained in the circulating posts are false, misleading, unfounded, and intended to create unnecessary fear, panic, and apprehension among residents,” the statement reads.

“There is currently no security crisis, invasion, or coordinated attack on any school or community in Ibeju-Lekki, Imota, Oke-Afo, or any other part of Lagos State.”

She added that schools remain safe and security agencies are maintaining a strong presence across the state.

Adebisi said the false alarm had already led to a tragic outcome, confirming the victim as 24-year-old Kulaha Ayuba, a commercial motorcyclist.

“Some youths of the community, acting on the false and unverified belief that armed bandits had invaded the area, allegedly labelled him a Fulani bandit, attacked and fatally assaulted him.

“His motorcycle was reportedly stolen, while his body was subsequently discovered in a swamp within the community,” she said.

Adebisi said the police have arrested 15 suspects in connection with the incident, and investigations are ongoing.

“The command assures the public that all those found culpable will be made to face the full weight of the law,” she added.

“The Command condemns the deliberate dissemination of unverified information capable of causing chaos, inciting public disorder, and promoting ethnic profiling, mob action, or hatred against any group of people.

“The command warned that individuals found to have originated or deliberately circulated false and inciting information would be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.”

.Adebisi added that the Lagos commissioner of police urged residents to remain calm and go about their normal activities without fear.

The incident comes at a time of rising concern over security following a recent school abduction in Oyo state

KanyiDaily has police recently took some of its officers into custody over claims that they harassed and extorted young people in Lagos state.