Governor Umahi orders arrest of those circulating video of alleged 'Ebonyi indigenes

[Edoman]

Governor Umahi orders arrest of those circulating video of alleged 'Ebonyi indigenes chasing out herdsmen from a forest' in the state







Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state has ordered the arrest of those circulating a video of alleged Ebonyi indigenes chasing out herdsmen from a forest in the state. 
 
Umahi gave the directive while addressing newsmen, shortly after an emergency meeting between the state government and the leadership of Miyeti Allah at the cabinet office.
 
He alleged that the opposition party and other perceived enemies of the government are behind the circulation of the video he described as fake, with the intention to breach the existing relationship between the Ebonyi State government and Fulani herdsmen.
 
Umahi said; 
 

“I have noted that the video and audio circular on social media platforms are creating fear. In Abakaliki local government area last night, two cows were killed and so, my directive is that the security agencies should wake up.


“They should arrest anybody that is trying to discuss any matter that is between life and death including the Fulani herdsmen. This must be taken seriously and I will not accept the delay in retrieving this fake news that is causing panic already in all over the country.


“That is not a good thing, because we kept quiet.


“I want the attorney general and commissioner for justice and local government chairmen to direct the herdsmen to keep watch over their cattle.
“I also want the local government to check if we can provide extra security around the herdsmen at the local level”

 
The leadership of the Ebonyi state chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) also distanced itself from the purported controversial video and audio.
 
Its chairman, Alhaji Usman Ishaku said the audio and video in circulation on social media platforms are "false, fake, misleading and an orchestrated attempt by mischief makers". 
 
Ishaku said; 
 

“The audio and video in circulation on social media platforms alleging that herdsmen were being attacked and chased out of Ebonyi State, are false, fake, misleading and an orchestrated attempt by mischief makers and enemies of peace to cause disharmony between the peace-loving people of Ebonyi and Fulani herdsmen residents in the state."

 
The state police spokesperson, Loveth Odah also alleged that the video was misconstrued and there was no report of such incident when the Fulani community visited Governor Umahi. 
 
She added that the Commissioner of Police Ebonyi State, Philip Sule Maku has ordered full scale investigation into the matter with a view to arresting those behind the fake video for possible prosecution.
 
The statement read; 
 

FULANI HERDSMEN ARE NOT UNDER ATTACK OR BEING CHASED OUT OF EBONYI STATE, ALHAJI ADAMU PEACEFULLY AND WILLINGLY RELOCATED FROM EBONYI STATE TO TARABA STATE."


The attention of the Ebonyi State Police Command has been drawn to a distorted and misleading video in circulation on social media platform that Fulani Herdsmen were being attacked and chased out of Ebonyi State by faceless group.


To set the record straight, the Command wishes to state that on the 2nd of January, 2021 one Fulani herdsman Alhaji Adamu residing at Ozibo village in Nkaleke Ichaba/Enyibishiri Community in Ebonyi L.G.A of Ebonyi State decided to relocate with some members of his family to Taraba State in-search of greener pastures for his Cows as the dry season is setting in. Alhaji Adamu also informed the village chairman and Ichaba Development Centre Coordinator before his peaceful and Voluntary relocation.
For the avoidance of doubt Alhaji Adamu left seven other members of his family (Alhaji Musa Danfo and six others) who are still residing at the same settlement with some of their cattle.


Therefore, the Command wishes to re-emphasize that before this video the Command have no record of threat to the live of the peace loving herders or their Cows, neither to those residing in the said Camp or in the entire State.
It may also interest the Public to know that the Fulani community yesterday being 2/01/2020 paid Christmas and New Year visit to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State and nothing of such threat was reported.


However, the mischief makers and the enemies of the State made a voice record over the video to create panic, mislead the public and misrepresent the peaceful coexistence of the Herders and their host communities in Ebonyi State.


The Command therefore urges the general public to regard the video as fake, baseless and mischievous and go about their lawful businesses.


Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police Ebonyi State, CP Philip Sule Maku psc, fdc, has ordered full scale investigation into the matter with a view to arresting those behind the fake video for possible prosecution.

The CP is also reassuring the general public particularly the Fulani Herdsmen and their host Communities in Ebonyi State of the Command's continuous commitment to ensure the safety and security of their lives and properties.


E-SIGN

DSP. ODAH LOVETH OBIANUJU Amnipr
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER (PPRO),
EBONYI STATE COMMAND,
ABAKALIKI.