Awkuzu incident: Circulation of false pictures worry Anambra Govt

… No COOU student was killed – VC

ANAMBRA State Government has expressed  concern over the actions of some mischievous people produced pictures of heinous killings elsewhere and claim that the murders took place in the clash  between some people in Uzo Nkwo, Awkuzu, in Oyi Local Government Area, and some non-indigenes.

  According to a release signed by the state’s Commissioner for Information & Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, who said the pictures were not from Anambra,” if any of the pictures being circulated on a section of the social media were true, those behind them would have produced and circulated videos of the dastardly killings. They would not have stopped at circulating mere still pictures in this era of instantaneous communication and citizen journalism”.

  The release stated: “Following the clash in the early morning of Monday, April 26, between some people in Uzo Nkwo, Awkuzu, in Oyi Local Government Area, and some non-indigenes, some people were killed and some others maimed. Both sides recorded casualties. Security agents quickly moved to the scene and took control of the situation.

  “However, rather than give a reliable picture of what transpired, some external forces have been posting on social media lurid pictures of what took place outside Anambra State long ago and claim that they are pictures of the incident at Awkuzu. The misleading pictures and accounts are so contradictory that while some claim that the dead were indigenes, others claim they were non-indigenes. Each side has been desperate to incite the public against the other.

  “The Anambra State Government is deeply concerned that some mischievous people would go to the extent of producing pictures of heinous killings elsewhere and claim that the murders took place in our dear state. If any of the pictures being circulated on a section of the social media were true, those behind them would have produced and circulated videos of the dastardly killings. They would not have stopped at circulating mere still pictures in this era of instantaneous communication and citizen journalism. 

“Those behind these false pictures and misleading narratives of the unfortunate incident at Awkuzu have an ulterior motive: to stoke a fire in a state which for the past seven years has been acknowledged by all to be the safest and most peaceful in the whole country. It is a shame that nothing is beyond some vicious elements in this election year in Anambra State.

“The state sovernment has already taken some measures to fish out those who perpetrated the dastardly killings of fellow citizens in Awkuzu and

those who have produced pictures from all manner of places with the sole of aim of portraying our people as barbarians and raising tension in the polity. The steps include the imposition of a curfew in Awkuzu, Igbariam, Aguleri, Umunya, Umueri and Nteje communities from 7 pm to 6 am until further notice.

“Indeed, far from succeeding, the culprits, who are reportedly from outside the state, will be identified, arrested, tried, sentenced and made to feel the full weight of the law. Anybody who sheds the blood of innocent souls in Anambra State will account for it both in this world and in the world to come. All those who have been involved in grave security breaches in the state in the last few weeks are already being arrested, and they include the nine persons who on March 31, 2021, killed three police officers providing security at the Isuofia Civic Centre in Aguata Local Government Area where the erstwhile Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of the All Grand Progressives Alliance (APGA), was having an interactive session with the youth in his Isuofia community.

  “Anambra State will, in spite of all odds, remain the Light of the Nation”, the commissioner said.

   Meanwhile the  Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, Professor Greg.C.Nwakoby, has on behalf of the council and management of the university, issued a press release informing  the general public that there are no problems whatsoever with the university and any section of the community.

  According to the release, “university management does not know anything about what has happened around it as such didn’t occur in the University Community.

  “Students are advised therefore to stop running helter-skelter and stay in campus as lectures are ongoing.

  “The management of the university heard of the event like others, and as posted in the social media.

  “No student of the university was killed as was rumoured by the public.

  “Parents are therefore advised to remain calm as their wards are protected as security has been beefed up within the University and around it.