By Olayemi Esan
The Imo State Government has denied reports that Miyetti Allah vigilantes have arrived in the state to help security agencies fight crime.
The Commissioner for Information, Hon Declan Emelumba, who described the report as a fabricated story, said at no time did the state government give any approval to the vigilante to operate in Imo as claimed by the story.
Emelumba, said the aim of the story, which he said was authored by desperate opposition, was to cause ethnic tension in the state.
The Information Commissioner said, “This is to alert Imo people that there is no truth in the story being circulated by the opposition which has become more desperate. The Government is not aware of any Miyetti Allah vigilante.”
He further said the government will not hesitate to intimate them of any security arrangements it is making but certainly not outside established security agencies.
While urging Imo people to disregard the story, Emelumba warned purveyors of the fake news to be mindful of the consequences of their ill-advised action and desist forthwith.
Recall that some media reports had alleged that the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) said its members have teamed up with security agents to tackle unidentified gunmen and suspected criminals in Imo State.
The report also said a chieftain of the group, Sarki Makao, revealed this, saying the partnership with security agents was approved by the state government.
