We didn’t ask IPOB, ESN to help tackle herdsmen attacks – Govt dismisses rumours
We didn’t ask IPOB, ESN to help tackle herdsmen attacks – Govt dismisses rumours
The Abia State government has strongly refuted claims circulating online, alleging that Governor Alex Otti authorised the involvement of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) to confront herdsmen and protect local farmers in the state.
In a statement released on Sunday, Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Otti on Media and Publicity, condemned the faceless blogger behind the baseless allegations.
Describing the post as “false, malicious, and misleading,” the state government clarified that it has no association with ESN and accused the unidentified sources of attempting to stir unnecessary unrest and division within the state.
Ekeoma pointed out that similar fake claims had been made recently but were deliberately ignored by the state government to avoid inflaming tensions.
The government emphasised that these malicious rumors were part of a broader attempt to disrupt peace and security in Abia.
“For the records, the government of Abia State under the leadership of Dr Alex Otti could not have contemplated embracing the services of none-state actors to fight criminals and insecurity of any kind in any part of the state.
“The state government’s confidence in our various security agencies led to the establishment of the state’s joint security task force codenamed “Operation Crush”. The joint task force has recorded tremendous success in the entire state and has kept the state safe and secure, in spite of skeletal cases of armed robbery and kidnapping which the government is working assiduously to completely eliminate.
”Those who have decided to play dirty politics by inciting fear and violence against the state and its citizens, not minding the danger they pose to the lives and properties of Abians, should know that their actions will attract severe consequences whenever they are caught,” the Abia government warned.
