Disregard trending video suggesting a planned Ethnic attack on Traders — Lagos State Government

The Lagos State Government has come into the open to call on indigenes and Nigerians to disregard video circulating online that showed officials of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) at Alaba-Rago Market in what is classed as a move to instigate an ethnic attack.

Gbenga Omotoso, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy released a statement concerning the trending video that had in it a voice, debunking its authenticity as he revealed the voice in the video was not that of any official of the two agencies but superimposed to provoke conflict and panic.

He affirmed that the voice on the video was that of a faceless blogger promoting ethnic and political sentiments over the planned relocation of traders for the re-modeling of Alaba Rago Market.

His Statement read: “The video is authentic because Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi and Chairman, Lagos State Task Force, CSP Shola Jejeloye, were in Alaba Rago last Thursday to brief the traders on the planned relocation. The traders have 14 days to vacate the area to pave the way for the re-modeling.

“Alaba Rago is occupied by traders from many parts of Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries. Any insinuation towards any ethnic attack is a lie and purveyors of such are mischievous. It is a devious attempt to cause trouble among peaceful traders. Such actions should be disregarded. Engagements are ongoing towards a hitch-free temporary relocation of the traders. The planned relocation is part of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s Urban Renewal Programme. “