Police arrest man for causing panic in Imo

The Imo State Police Command has arrested 35-year-old Chidi Azonibe for allegedly circulating a notice about a planned attack by the Fulani herdsmen on residents of Umuoba in Irete and causing panic.

The police spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, in a statement, said the suspect admitted to having distributed the notice alongside his brother, acting on the instruction of one Prophetess Ijeoma who allegedly received a divine instruction about the attack.

Residents of Umuoba had on Monday, February 10 night discovered a threat notice on their gates allegedly written by Fulani herdsmen in Irete, in the Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.

The notice which read, “FULANI HERDMEN. WE ARE COMING. WAIT FOR US AT ANYTIME, ANY MOMENT NOW. WAIT FOR US,” caused panic waves among the residents.

Azonibe said the message was composed by his prophetess, Rev. Ijeoma of Assembly Church, Irete, adding that he, alongside his brother, Amanea, was instructed to disseminate it within the community.

According to him, Prophetess Ijeoma had received a divine revelation from God about the planned attack by the Fulani herdsmen and so decided to warn residents with the notice.

The statement read, “Operatives of the Imo State Police Command, following painstaking investigations, have apprehended an individual responsible for circulating a threatening message in the Umuoba community of Irete. The message, which created significant public concern over a potential herdsmen attack, prompted an immediate and thorough investigation by the command.

“Mr. Chidi Emma Azonibe, 35, a native of Umuelele in Irete, admitted to posting the message. He stated that the message was composed by his prophetess, Rev. Ijeoma of Assembly Church, Irete, and that he, along with his brother Amanea, was instructed to disseminate it within the community.

“Mr Azonibe further alleged that the prophetess told him that she had received a divine revelation from God warning that Fulani herdsmen were planning an attack on the residents of Irete, prompting her to compose the false message as a means of alerting the community.

“The threatening words, ‘FULANI HERDSMEN. WE ARE COMING, WAIT FOR US AT ANY TIME ANY MOMENT NOW. WAIT FOR US,’ has significantly contributed to the heightened level of anxiety among residents of Irete and Owerri metropolis. Efforts are being intensified to apprehend the alleged prophetess and other suspects at large.”

Okoye said the suspect was currently undergoing investigation and is expected to face prosecution.

However, he warned sternly that the police command frowned on the spread of inciting messages adding that violators would be prosecuted.

He said, “The suspect is currently undergoing investigation and is expected to face prosecution. The Imo State Police Command has also issued a stern warning against the spread of false news and misinformation, as anyone found inciting panic or unrest will face the full wrath of the law.”