A tweet by the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, caused confusion online on Tuesday after the name “Tunde Onakoya” appeared on a list of individuals arrested by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).
The name matches that of Nigeria’s popular chess advocate and Guinness World Record holder, known for his work with vulnerable children through the Chess in Slums Africa initiative.
Wahab posted that nine persons were arrested early Tuesday under the Ozumba Mbadiwe bridge in Lagos by LAWMA’s enforcement team.
The tweet listed their names and ages, and one of them was “Tunde Onakoya – 36yrs.” This immediately led to public speculation on social media about whether the well-known chess promoter had been detained by mistake.
“LAWMA enforcement team in the early hours of today arrested 9 miscreants under Ozumba Mbadiwe bridge,” Wahab’s post read. The commissioner then listed the full names of all nine arrested individuals.
Social Media Users React and Demand Clarity on Chess Advocate’s Safety
The arrest sparked a wave of comments on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), with many people seeking clarification from the commissioner and tagging the chess master directly.
Some users feared that Onakoya had been mistakenly detained during one of his community chess outreach programmes. Others tried to confirm his safety.
One user, Toluwalase, tweeted: “Mr Toks, please which of the Tunde Onakoya are you talking about? #Tunde_OD are you safe?” Another user wrote, “Oga Toks, your people don go pack Chess master where e dey teach boys under the bridge how to play chess.”
Humour quickly joined concern as the real Tunde Onakoya responded to the post in a light-hearted tone. “No way… Was he teaching chess when this happened? Am I tweeting from detention?” he wrote.
This response helped calm the online tension, reassuring fans and supporters that he had not been arrested. Still, some users continued questioning whether the enforcement team had mistaken identity in their operation.
Many called on state officials to double-check their list and ensure they were not targeting people engaged in positive social work.
Others used the opportunity to commend the chess master for his contributions and drew attention to the need for proper identification during such arrests.
The Lagos Waste Management Authority has not released further clarification on whether the name on the list refers to a different individual.
Enjoyed this story? Rate it, leave a comment💬, and follow us on social media for more. Got a news tip or story to share? Submit it here and earn points toward ₦10,000 rewards!
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
