Amid Poisoning Threat By Canadian-based Woman Tweeps Call For Arrest Of Lagospedia Handler Over #IgboMustGo Agenda
Nigerians on Twitter have called for the immediate arrest of the handler of popular Twitter account Lagospedia, over allegations of promoting hate speech and inciting violence against Igbo people residing in Lagos and other Southwestern states.
A contentious tweet from Lagospedia sparked widespread condemnation and outrage among Nigerians and authorities, after it endorsed the divisive #IgboMustGo agenda.
The X user further inflamed tensions by announcing plans for a large-scale protest from August 20-30, 2024, promoting harmful bigotry.
The Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, distanced himself and the government from the “reckless, divisive, and dangerous agenda”.
He maintained that Lagos is home to all Nigerian citizens regardless of their ethnic nationality.
However, the growing demands for the prosecution of the person behind Lagospedia handle by Nigerian netizens were a result of the long silence of the government about the incident.
Netizens demand equal attention from authorities to combat hate speech, citing the case of a Canada-based Nigerian woman who advocated for violence against Yoruba and Benin people through poisoning their food and water.
Her identity was revealed by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) on Wednesday.
Lending his voice to the trending campaign for Lagospedia’s arrest, an X user, Dr Kelechi Ugonna said: “Have the owner of former @lagospedia, the grand account of Bigotry, been arrested even after Harry @chiditweets042 was able to uncover him? @followlasg you and that Commissioner promised to arrest him. Have you?”
“If they refused to release the identity of Lagospedia but was fast to release the woman in Canada? Then we know what’s going on,” another X user Eze said.
Another X user, Aladyforyou, wrote: “A job well done to Madam Abike Dabiri. But when will she use her office to call for the arrest of Lagospedia and Bayo Onanuga? I’m humbly asking as a concerned Nigerian. The breakfast must go round Madam @abikedabiri …
“At the same time, I hope the Nigeria Police is learning from Interpol? No be by gra gra, did you see the crackdown on Black axe? @PoliceNG …. Professionalism at its peak not the way you are abducting journalists and innocent Nigerians upanadan. #freePIDOMNIGERIA.”
Zia wrote: “They arrested PIDOM, they’ve uncovered the bigot in Canada but can’t arrest Lagospedia or MC Oluomo and the rest of his bands. All these people with high offices are bigots themselves. Close eyes when their tribes offend and swing into action when it’s from another tribe.”
Meanwhile, Igbo HistoFacts identified Lagospedia handler as Bolaji Olamide but SaharaReporters could not independently verify this.
The user wrote: “Where’s the Lagospedia twitter handler by name Bolaji Olamide who was calling for the killing and destruction of Ndi Igbo and their investments through his sinister #IgboMustGo agenda, has he been arrested?”
Bae Hunter wrote: “Anyone that calls for the killings and destructions of any tribe or people should be arrested. Hate doesn’t have to lead to death. Political affiliation or preferences doesn’t have to lead to enmity. Y’all can disagree on political views & still be friends.”
Warepamor wrote: “Abike Dabiri kept quiet when @lagospedia was spewing hatred and bigotry round the TL but immediately swung into action when the tables turn, she knows what she is doing.”
Ako added: “@abikedabiri This is the picture of the man behind Lagospedia Oluwatumininua Bolaji. He has deleted his X account and a group of Nigerians everywhere have been reporting him officially to the relevant authorities in Nigeria. Zero thanks @abikedabiri for not alerting everyone.”
The Nigeria Police Force has yet to issue an official statement or comment on the growing demand for the arrest of Lagospedia handler.
The Lagos Police Command Spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin said he was not available when he was called for comment and has yet to reply to messages sent to him via WhatsApp and SMS.
@abikedabiri This is the picture of the man behind Lagospedia Oluwatumininua Bolaji. He has deleted his X account and a group of Nigerians everywhere have been reporting him officially to the relevant authorities in Nigeria. Zero thanks @abikedabiri for not alerting everyone. Ewu pic.twitter.com/nrLNS2QSdf
— Ako na Uche (@ako_na_uche_x) August 28, 2024
Have the owner of former @lagospedia, the grand account of Bigotry, been arrested even after Harry @chiditweets042 was able to uncover him? @followlasg you and that Commissioner promised to arrest him. Have you?
— Dr. Kelechi Ugonna (PhD) (@Ugo_KelechiPhD) August 28, 2024
Abike Dabiri kept quiet when @lagospedia was spewing hatred and bigotry round the TL but immediately swung into action when the tables turn, she knows what she is doing.
— WarepamorSammy (@Warepamorsammy) August 28, 2024
Anyone that calls for the killings and destructions of any tribe or people should be arrested. Hate doesn’t have to lead to death. Political affiliation or preferences doesn’t have to lead to enmity. Y’all can disagree on political views & still be friends.
— Bae Hunter 🇱🇷 🇬🇧 🇨🇦 🇳🇬 🇺🇸 (@thebeeperfumery) August 28, 2024
Where’s the Lagospedia twitter handler by name Bolaji Olamide who was calling for the killing and destruction of Ndi Igbo and their investments through his sinister #IgboMustGo agenda, has he been arrested?
— IGBO History & Facts (@IgboHistoFacts) August 28, 2024
They arrested PIDOM, they’ve uncovered the bigot in Canada but can’t arrest Lagospedia or MC Oluomo and the rest of his bands. All these people with high offices are bigots themselves. Close eyes when their tribes offend and swing into action when it’s from another tribe.
— Zia✴️ (@Ziakeem) August 28, 2024
They arrested PIDOM, they’ve uncovered the bigot in Canada but can’t arrest Lagospedia or MC Oluomo and the rest of his bands. All these people with high offices are bigots themselves. Close eyes when their tribes offend and swing into action when it’s from another tribe.
— Zia✴️ (@Ziakeem) August 28, 2024
Ajob well done to Madam Abike Dabiri. But when will she use her office to call for the arrest of Lagospedia and Bayo Onanuga? I’m humbly asking as a concerned Nigerian. The breakfast must go round Madam @abikedabiri … At the same time, I hope the Nigeria Police is learning… pic.twitter.com/qcyqloy7Le
