By CHUKS EKE
Authorities of Anambra State Vigilante Supervisory Committee have warned those they identified as rumour mongers and mischief makers to stop peddling false rumour capable of causing unnecessary tension in the state when all hands should be on deck to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in its entirety.
Chairman of the committee, Chief Ikechukwu Ayo Aduba, a retired Commissioner of Police, who sounded this note of warning in a press statement he issued to newsmen yesterday in Onitsha, recalled that the rumour mongers and mischief makers had gone in social media alleging that armed Fulani herdsmen had on Wednesday, April 29, overrun Ufuma community in Orumba North Local Government Area of the state and caused mayhem.
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According to the statement personally signed by Aduba himself who is also a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on Vigilante Matters, “the attention of Anambra State Vigilante Supervisory Committee has been drawn to a recent post on the internet that Fulani Herdsmen had overrun Ufuma as of Wednesday, April 29, 2020. There is no iota of truth in this malicious and mischievous lie”.
“It is the handiwork of enemies of the state who must have been disappointed at the effective way and manner the Government of His Excellency, Dr. Willie Obiano had handled the tricky and highly sensitive issue of COVID-19 to the commendation of all and sundry”.
AVG. had been on red alert in the 181 communities in Anambra state, since the lockdown been partaking in round-the-clock patrols and fully collaborating with the Task Force on COVID-19 consisting of the Nigeria Police, Army among others. Thereore, no Fulani Herdsmen were sighted at Ufuma community of Orumba North L.G.A. of Anambra State”.
“Even the Traditional Ruler of Ufuma, Igwe S. Chika Uchime, Diji III, and his President General, Sir Basil Onwunze have categorically stated that there was no invasion of their community by Fulani herdsmen. They vehemently distanced themselves and the entire community from such false alarm”.
“AVG. wishes to thank the Governor Obiano for his unrelenting support for AVG. as regards footing the bill for our men that recently underwent Forensic and Security training at a Certified Forensic Institute in Abuja last year”.
“Again, AVG. wishes to reassure Anambrarians everywhere that there is no cause for alarm for we are on top of the unusual situation caused by COVID-19 pandemic in collaboration with sister security agencies in the state”.
“Anambrarians should please help us with information about suspicious movements in your vicinities and leave the rest to our gallant men who are bent on making our beloved state the safest in Nigeria”, the statement concluded.
