Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru has distanced himself from the weekend’s arrest and investigation of the President of Ohaneze Youth Council (OYC), Comrade Igboyaka Igboyaka by the Nigeria Police in Imo State.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Monday Uzor said that the attention of the State Governor was drawn to the arrest with the insinuation that he ordered the police to pick up Igboayaka.
Governor Nwifuru noted that the arrest followed unfortunate attack on Amegu Nkalaha in Ishielu Local Government Area which claimed many lives and properties.
“Let me categorically state that Governor Nwifuru has no involvement in any of such arrest or police action against Comrade Igboayaka.
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“As the Chief Security Officer of Ebonyi State, Governor Nwifuru remains committed to upholding justice, ensuring peace, and protecting the rights of all Ebonyians, including those who express concerns about security matters.
“It is important to clarify that the role of the Governor is to collaborate with security agencies to safeguard lives and property, not to interfere in law enforcement procedures,” the CPS said.
He added that intelligence at the disposal of the state government does not in anywhere shows that Igboayaka works with the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA) nor for the Department of State Services (DSS) to be armed with such intelligence that threatens internal security.
Rather, the statement noted that Igboayaka is a social deviant running a factional arm of the apex Igbo socio-cultural body, Ohaneze Ndigbo.
“Any arrest or investigation by the Nigerian Police is purely within the jurisdiction of the security agencies, independent of any influence from the Governor,” the statement said.
Governor Nwifuru strongly condemned the attack on Amegu Nkalaha and pledged to remain focused on ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
Uzor said the Governor is working closely with security agencies to enhance proactive measures that will prevent further attacks.
“In a period Ebonyians are trying to be psychologically detached from the unfortunate incident, enemies of the state masquerading as online merchants and Social Media contractors have yet again thrown caution to the wind by alleging Governor Nwifuru’s involvement in the arrest of Comrade Igboayaka Igboayaka, all in attempt to distract concentration and temporarily halt the supersonic transformation of the State Governor.
“What the social media agents have failed to know is that the same Igboayaka claimed responsibility for the attack by stating publicly that he knew when the attack was conceived and hatched, a reason he claimed to had, four days earlier,” Dr Uzor said.
He urged the public to disregard any false narratives aimed at misrepresenting the Governor’s role in the matter.
“We should commend security agencies for the timely arrest of Igboayaka, who claimed responsibility for the attack, to provide intelligence that will permanently end killings and other communal skirmishes in the future.
“The government of Ebonyi State remains committed to justice, transparency, and the security of its people,” the statement added.
