CDD refutes claim of threatened war by the Arewa Consultative forum
The Center for Democracy and Development has debunked the claim by some media outlets that the Arewa Consultative Forum has threatened to go to war if the ‘Operation Amotekun’ launched by the south west governors is not put to rest.
‘Operation Amotekun’ is the newly established security outfit launched by the five South-West Governors in Nigeria with the mandate to enhance the safety of the region against kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, and related crimes.
The claim by some of these media outlets has quoted Yerima Shettima the leader of the forum stating that the Yorubas should dissolve the newly created security outfit before the 20th of January.
A statement made available by the Center has disclosed that the news is fake and has no element of truth,adding that Shettima had not made such statement rather he has commended the initiative.
According to CDD Shettima was quoted to have said ‘Amotekun’ will promote community policing, urging Nigerians to disregard the insinuations on social media that he and his group were against the inauguration of the security agency in the zone as we acknowledge that ‘Amotekun’ is commendable, noting that it will complement the efforts of the Federal Government to secure lives and properties in the country.
The center has asked the public to disregard the news as this could cause unrest in the society.
According to CDD “members of the public has to verify information, particularly news stories, before sharing as sharing Fake News and Disinformation can threaten our peaceful coexistence and the sustenance of our democracy.
CDD further disclosed “Our checks on Simon Ekpa shows that he is a known supporter of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and has several videos aimed to misinform and disinform the public.”
By PRNigeria
