The Imo Stats Police Command has arrested a self-acclaimed prophetess, Rev. Ijeoma Nwosu of Assembly Church, Irete, for allegedly raising false alarm on planned Fulani herdsmen attack on the people of Umuoba, Irete community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.
DSP Henry Okoye, the Imo State Command Police Public Relations Officer, stated this while parading the suspects before newsmen at the Command’s headquarters in Owerri.
Okoye posited that following painstaking investigations by the Command, police apprehended an individual recently responsible for circulating the threatening message in the Umuoba community of Irete.
“The message, which created significant public concerns over a potential herdsmen attack, prompted an immediate and thorough investigation by the Command.”
He disclosed that Mr. Chidi Emma Azonibe, 35, a native of Umuelele in Irete, admitted to posting the message, disclosing that the message was composed by his prophetess, Rev. Ijeoma Nwosu and that he, along with his brother, Amanna Azonibe, was instructed by the prophetess to disseminate the message within the community so as to probably raise the alarm, fears and caution.
Azonibe further alleged that the prophetess told him that she received the “divine revelation” from God warning that Fulani herdsmen were planning an attack on the residents of Irete, prompting her to compose the message as a means of alerting the community.
Recall last week a threatening and ongoing WhatsApp message entitled, “FULANI HERDSMEN: WE ARE COMING, WAIT FOR US AT ANYTIME ANY MOMENT NOW WAIT FOR US,” was unleashed in the social media and the message went viral within days, and significantly contributed to the heightened level of anxiety among local residents of Irete and Owerri metropolis.
This prompted Imo State Police Command to intensify efforts in authenticating the source and truth of the message so as to be strategically proactive.
Okoye noted that the Command has equally intensified efforts to apprehend some of the suspects at large so as to face the wrath of the law.
He reiterated that the Command had also issued a stern warning against the spread of false news and misinformation, stating that anyone found inciting panic or unrest would face the full wrath of the law.
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