Igbo Youths call for probe into “fake” statement attributed to Ohanaeze President

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka

Igbo youth leaders have condemned a fake news report quoting the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta Mbata, as calling for Igbo men to arm themselves.

The statement, which was widely circulated, claimed Senator Mbata said, “Every Igbo Man from 18 years up must get a gun, stack weapons. Igbo land is under terrorist siege and must be defended. A war is coming in days.”

However, in a statement signed by Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, Leader of the Igbo Youth Leaders and Stakeholders Assembly, the group described the report as “mischievous and clueless allegations” and “malicious propaganda”.

They called on security agencies, including the National Security Adviser and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), to investigate and prosecute those behind the fake news, which they said is a threat to national security.

The group described Ohanaeze President as a renowned statesman and patriot with impeccable characters and outstanding track records, urging the public to disregard the fake news, and to consciously verify such sensitive content before dissemination.

It read: “Our attention has been drawn to the unfounded mischievous and clueless allegations against the Leader of the Igbo Nation and renowned President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide- Distinguished Senator John Azuta Mbata, where he was accused of thus and I quote “Every Igbo Man from 18 years up must get a gun, stack weapons. Igbo land is under terrorist siege and must be defended. a war is coming in days.”

“THIS IS FAKE NEWS!, and We hereby categorically state that our Leader and President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide did not and can never issue such a call for arms. Therefore, this malicious propaganda and criminal blackmail, for whatever purpose and intention, is dead on arrival.

“The Leader of the Igbo Sociocultural and Political Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide- Senator John Azuta Mbata is a renowned States Man and remarkable Patriot with impeccable characters and outstanding track records.

“In strong terms, We condemn such mischievous and false insinuations and urge the unsuspecting public to disregard the fake news, and to consciously verify such sensitive content before dissemination, in order not to fall victim nor aid the peddlers of FAKE NEWS, indirectly or unknowingly.

“Nevertheless, this is a matter of National Security, and cannot be swept under the carpet.
Sequel to the above, we call on the offices of- the National Security Adviser(ONSA), the Inspector General of Police(IGP), Director General of State Security Service(SSS) and other appropriate authority, to collectively deploy their widespread investigation mechanisms in order to detect, arrest and prosecute the sponsors and promoters of this expensive FAKE NEWS that is tantamount to undermining our collective efforts for Stability, Peace and National Security.”

The group commended the South East Development Commission’s efforts towards regional development, particularly the South East Vision 2050 initiative, and urged them to prioritize security in the region, saying “no meaningful development can thrive amidst insecurity”.

They also praised the efforts of political leaders and security agencies working towards securing communities in the South East region, and called for political solutions and non-kinetic approaches to address the security challenges facing the nation.