By Ali Elias
The New Year opened with tension in parts of Lagos after reports spread on social media claiming that Ikotun Market in Alimosho Local Government area had been gutted by fire. Social media posts quickly transformed an unverified incident into a narrative of ethnic targeting and state-backed persecution.
In reaction to one of the videos, an Igbo woman trader at Ijegun market, visibly distressed, lamented the situation, “this is Igbo business again being destroyed”. The comment resonated with other Igbo traders, given recent fire outbreaks at Balogun Market, Lagos Island, and Arena Market in Oshodi. These were cited as evidence of a pattern.
“What are we still doing here?” one voice was heard asking, a comment that could be interpreted by many as a reflection of the growing fear among traders, particularly those from the South-East, over their safety and livelihoods in Lagos.
However, a visit to Ikotun by Rareview News Report revealed that Ikotun Market itself was not affected by any fire incident.
Our findings showed that the alleged fire outbreak occurred in a one-storey residential building located about 400 metres away from the market. The building, which housed a few shops on its ground floor, was not part of the market complex. It has already been cordoned by the relevant agency of the state and visibly marked “distressed”
Officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, who responded to the incident, confirmed that the fire was contained and did not spread to other surrounding property or Ikotun Market. No casualties were reported.
A source at the Local government which shares boundary with the market dismissed the fire claims or arson and targeted attacks, describing the online narrative as “misleading and capable of causing unnecessary panic.”
Another source was at Ikotun was simply taken aback, wondering what people would gain by posting such fake news. “What happened was a domestic fire incident in a nearby building. Unfortunately, the situation was exaggerated” he said.
In the meantime, the building has been cordoned and marked as “Distressed”.
Despite the clarification, the initial report had already gained significant traction online and through phone calls, reigniting conversations around ethnic mistrust and safety of Igbo traders in Lagos.
A similar situation played out in Kaduna State days earlier, where social media posts claimed that the residence of Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi and surrounding areas had been bombed by a US intervention in the new year as part of an anti-terror operation.
The story, which many Nigerians shared and celebrated online, was later debunked after News Central Television visited the alleged sites with Live reportage. Their report showed no evidence of any bombing or military operation in the areas mentioned.
The Kaduna State Police Command also denied the claims, warning against the spread of unverified information capable of escalating tension.
“These reports are false,” a police spokesperson said. “There was no bombing, and residents should rely on credible sources for information.”
Emergency agencies in both Lagos and Kaduna have urged the public to verify information before sharing, noting that false reports—especially those touching on security and ethnic relations—can escalate fear and strain community relations.
Observers note that the speed at which the rumours spread highlights the growing influence of social media in shaping public perception, often ahead of facts.
As authorities continue to appeal for calm, the incidents serve as a reminder of how quickly misinformation can turn local incidents into national flash points if left unchecked.