The Edo State Government has refuted baseless claims made by the indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB, that the state governor, Mr Monday Okpebholo allocated six billion naira to compensate “Fulani terrorists” following the Uromi attack, where 15 hunters from Kano State were lynched.
This claim made by the IPOB was condemned in a statement released on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary of Edo State governor, Fred Itua.
He said it was malicious attempt to instigate ethnic division and disrupt the peace of Edo State.
In the statement, the governor said the claim was not only false but also a misinterpretation of facts aimed at creating distrust within the state.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Edo State Government has been drawn to a recent press statement issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra, a proscribed terrorist organisation by the Federal Government of Nigeria, in which it falsely accuses Governor Monday Okpebholo of allocating N6bn to compensate so-called ‘Fulani terrorists’ and alleges betrayal of the people of Edo State.
“We consider this publication not only inciting but also a vile attempt by a terrorist group to distort facts, sow ethnic division, and destabilise the peace and unity of Edo State.”
Recall that on the 28th of March, 16 hunters from Kano State were lynched in the Udune Efandion community of Uromi. After the killings, Governor Okpebholo visited Kano to appeal to the families of the deceased and to prevent any reoccurrence.
A follow-up delegation from Kano State also visited Edo state to discuss the compensation of the hunters killed in Uromi.
However, IPOB, in a statement released on the 21st of April claimed that Okpebholo paid billions of Naira as compensation for the northern hunters.
Additionally Itua said, “No compensation of N6 billion was approved or paid to any group.
“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.”
According to Itua, Okpebholo’s administration has been devoted to justice, peace and safety all Edo State residents.
The statement also affirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring peace in the state. He stressed that Edo State is known for its unity, hospitality and progressive values.
“We reject IPOB’s attempts to use blood-stained rhetoric to cause unrest in our land,” the statement read. “Efforts to export their terrorist ideology into Edo State are dead on arrival.”
“We stand with the people. We stand for the truth. And we reject terrorism in every form,” he added.
