The Lagos State Police Command has refuted social media claims that three men seen in a widely circulated video were kidnappers, stating that investigations confirmed the allegations to be untrue.
Following the viral footage, which purportedly showed the suspects being apprehended in Victory Estate, Ago Palace, the police had initially announced an investigation to verify the claims and locate those involved.
In a statement on Wednesday, the command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, clarified that the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding that escalated into a violent confrontation.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, held a fact-finding meeting with the Chairman, Chief Security Officer, two residents of Victory Estate, and one of the accused individuals.
“After thorough interviews, it was conclusively established that the three men were not kidnappers, and no kidnapping incident took place in the estate,” Hundeyin stated.
He further noted that both estate officials and security personnel verified that the allegations were baseless.
“The Estate Chairman, Chief Security Officer, and another security committee member all confirmed to the Commissioner of Police that the individuals in question were not kidnappers and that no such crime occurred in the estate,” the statement read.
According to police findings, the three men had entered the estate around 10 p.m. on February 17 to visit a friend when a disagreement with a tricycle rider led to confusion and panic among residents.
“The altercation between the men and the tricycle operator escalated, causing commotion in the estate at that time,” the police explained.
The command urged Lagosians to verify information before spreading unconfirmed reports, warning against actions that could incite fear or disrupt public peace. It also cautioned residents against taking the law into their own hands.