By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has issued a public security alert to residents of the state, warning them against the rising trend of social media propaganda and inciting content aimed at discrediting government institutions and destabilizing the prevailing peace and security in the state.
In a statement released on Monday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the police raised concerns over what it described as a deliberate pattern of misinformation by individuals who are not based in the state but deploy social media platforms to incite residents against constituted authorities, particularly security agencies.
The Command made particular reference to a trending video by one Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as Very Dark Man, that started trending over the weekend, in which he allegedly threatened to lead a protest in Anambra against the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). His action, the Command stated, was grossly misguided and failed to consider the federal directive under which NAFDAC was operating.
Recall that Very Dark Man visited the Onitsha Drug Market (popularly known as Ọgbọ Ọgwụ market) on Saturday, where he criticized the recent activities of the NAFDAC in the market and also threatened to mobilize the traders on a massive protest against the Agency anytime soon, especially if the Agency fails to unlock the remaining shops it locked during the raid.
The Anambra State Police Command, in the statement, clarified that the recent raid and enforcement by NAFDAC in Anambra was in line with a nationwide directive to rid the three major open drug markets in the country of unregistered, expired, banned, diverted, falsified, or illicit narcotics and substances. And Anambra State, the Command noted, was one of the designated states for the operation. While acknowledging that some affected traders had lodged complaints, the police assured that the grievances had been forwarded to the appropriate authorities for redress.
According to the police, further investigation, however, revealed that VeryDarkMan’s visit, actions and threats were instigated by unnamed individuals within the affected markets. It said the market leadership had, however, since distanced itself from the video and pledged to support the efforts of NAFDAC and the police in identifying defaulters and ensuring compliance.
The Command also commented on another video by another social media influencers and activist, Mr. Harrison Gwamnishu, alleging the existence of an illegal detention facility in the state. The police noted that while the video does not reflect a recent development, the issue it raised had already been addressed. The Police Spokesman said the Command had earlier intervened in curbing such unprofessional conduct, where arrested suspects were held in agency offices rather than being promptly transferred to police facilities, adding that measures have since been put in place to prevent a recurrence.
The Command further expressed disappointment over the failure of Mr. Gwamnishu to honor a formal invitation to provide clarifications regarding his recent post alleging that there was a mysterious disappearance of five travelers in Anambra while seeking accommodation.
It noted with concern that both Mr. Gwamnishu and Mr. Otse ignored appropriate communication channels, including reaching out to the Police Commissioner or the PPRO, and instead chose to air their allegations online in a manner that could incite the public and create tension.
Describing the trend as a calculated attempt to sow distrust and undermine the credibility of law enforcement in Anambra, the Command stressed that such actions could erode the public’s trust and endanger the stability that residents currently enjoy.
The statement further warned that inciting social media broadcasts or attempts to mobilize protests without following legal procedures could be hijacked by criminal elements to cause chaos, disrupt public order, and infringe on the rights of law-abiding citizens.
Consequently, the Anambra State Police Command reiterated its commitment to maintaining law and order, protecting the fundamental rights of all citizens, and preventing any acts capable of threatening public peace.
The Command urged Ndi Anambra to be vigilant, resist the influence of external agitators, and continue supporting the efforts of security agencies in sustaining the relative peace and safety currently witnessed across the state.
