Lagos BRT Bus Accident On 3rd Mainland Bridge Lagoon Hoax: How FRSC Raises False Alarm

Nov 26, 2012 – Lagos BRT Bus Accident On 3rd Mainland Bridge Lagoon Hoax: How FRSC Raises False Alarm

After a weekend that was awashed with reports of the attacks of the dreaded Boko Haram sect on different locations in Northern Nigeria, the last thing the already depressed people of this nation needed was a terrifying rumor on the first day of a new week.

But contrary was the case, when the nation was again thrown into a great panic, as the Federal Road Safety Corps on its twitter handle confirmed a news that a BRT bus had plunged into a lagoon of the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge.

The FRSC confirmation came after journalists, who got hold of the news earlier were out to verify the news. While journalists, media houses, relatives of those who ply the road, and other concerned citizens were looking forward to a confirmation from the state government and relevant government agencies, the Federal Road Safety Corps via its Twitter handle (@FRSCNigeria) verified the story, causing more confusion.

The tweet at 12:33pm reads: “A fully loaded BRT bus fell off the Third Mainland Bridge into the Lagos lagoon, 26-11-12. Rescue work in progress. Motorists must be cautious.”

As a responsible media organization that does not rely on speculations, DailyPost quickly got in touch with the Lagos FRSC Sector Commander, Mr Nseobong Akpabio. Speaking to our correspondent over the phone, Akpabio said: “The news about the BRT bus is not true.” When queried further on the information posted on the agency’s Twitter handle, he responded by saying “I am yet to confirm that.”

Apparently rattled by the nationwide confusion the blunder had triggered, the agency quickly deleted the tweet and immediately replaced it with another at 1:59pm (86 minutes later).

The tweet reads: “The news retweeted by FRSC on an accident involving a BRT (bus) in Lagos could not b confirmed. Pls disregard d information.”

A cross section of Nigerians have referred to the FRSC confirmation of the rumour as unprofessional. Some of them who were already on their way to the Third Mainland Bridge had told our correspondent, that the FRSC tweet was deceitful and unclear. They said it clearly depicted reprehensible incompetence and indicated that the official who typed it was under pressure.

But the question on the lips of many Nigerians is what would have led to such a rumour at the time the nation is still struggling to come out of the fever of Boko Haram bombings. (Source: DailyPost)