The Edo State Government has cautioned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a proscribed terrorist organization by the Federal Government, against stirring ethnic violence with its false claim in a publication that Governor Monday Okpebholo allocated N6 billion as compensation to so-called “Fulani terrorists” and betrayed the people of Edo State.
In a statement by Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, the government described the publication as not only inciting but also a vile attempt by a terrorist group to distort facts, sow ethnic division, and destabilize the peace and unity of Edo State.
According to the statement, “It is a familiar strategy of IPOB to spew falsehood and incite hatred under the guise of activism. Their desperate attempt to drag Governor Okpebholo into their agenda of violence and ethnic disintegration will fail.”
It added, “No compensation of N6 billion was approved or paid to any group as claimed. The figures and narrative being peddled are fictitious, malicious, and deliberately misleading. The Edo State Government has not—and will not—compensate any individual or group involved in acts of terror or criminality.”
The statement further said, “Governor Monday Okpebholo remains committed to justice and the rule of law. His administration has prioritized the safety of all citizens, irrespective of ethnic or religious backgrounds. The baseless allegation that he handed over vigilantes to ‘Fulani authorities’ is not only a ridiculous lie but an affront to the memory of the security personnel who serve Edo State with honour.”
“IPOB’s attempt to incite ethnic violence is criminal and rejected by Edo people. The good people of Edo State are known for their unity, hospitality, and progressive values. We reject IPOB’s attempts to use blood-stained rhetoric to cause unrest in our land. Their efforts to export their terrorist ideology into Edo State are dead on arrival.”
“The group’s audacity to lecture Southern Governors on bravery is laughable. IPOB is responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent Nigerians, including Igbos, through its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network. A group that murders, maims, and imposes illegal sit-at-home orders in the South-East cannot pretend to care about justice or human rights,” the statement argued.
The government then urged security agencies to investigate and bring to book the authors of this inciting publication. No group, however loud, should be allowed to threaten public peace or attempt to instigate ethnic warfare in a state known for tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Emphasizing that it will not be distracted by the noise of criminals masquerading as freedom fighters, the government promises to continue to pursue peace, development, and inclusive governance for every resident of Edo State.
“We stand with the people. We stand for the truth. And we reject terrorism in every form”, it concluded.
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