Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State yesterday ordered the arrest of circulators of a video on social media that Fulani herdsmen were being attacked and chased out of the state.
Umahi said at a news conference in Abakaliki, the state capital, that the video was falsified and ordered security agencies to investigate and arrest the source of the video and its circulators.
The viral video currently in circulation on the social media alleged that some herdsmen were being attacked and chased out of their base in Ozibo village, Echiaba, Ebonyi Local Government Area of the state causing panic and tension in the state.
“Security personnel must ensure that those behind the circulation of the video, which has caused panic across the country, are brought to book.
“We must increase our security surveillance at the grassroots level. I urge the security agencies to step up and arrest persons circulating the video on social media,’’ Umahi said.
Also, Myeitti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), Ebonyi State chapter, said none of their members was being attacked or chased out of Ebonyi State contrary to a viral video.
The association described the video as falsehood and handiwork of mischief makers who were hell-bent on causing disharmony between herders and people of the state.
Secretary of the association, Sani Inusa, at the briefing, said what happened on January 2 was that one of the herdsmen living in Ozibo village, Echi-aba in the state, Alhaji Adamu, informed the association of his intention to relocate to Taraba State with his family for a chieftaincy title that will make him reside in his state.
“We wish to inform the general public to disregard the audio and video currently circulating in the social media alleging that herdsmen were being attacked and chased out of Ebonyi State because it is untrue.
“We wish to enjoin security agents to fish out those behind the audio and video and prosecute them to serve as a deterrent to others because we have been living in peace with the people of Ebonyi State and nobody should destroy this peace we have been enjoying,” he said.
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