By Uche Onyeali
Youth and Civil Society Coalition for Development have called for the arrest of one one Ethelbert Ugwu for dishing out false information to security information to to security agencies which has led to security threats to a community in Imo State.
The coalition made the call in a press made available to AljaziraNigeria after the expiration of two-week ultimatum given to the said to desist from causing chaos through his alleged false information to his information which it said had unsettled the community, leading to the Indigenes abandoning their homes for fear of invasion by the military for months.
The Youth and Civil Society Coalition called for immediate arrest of Ugwu who has remained threat to peace and security in Ihiteafoukwu Ancient Kingdom in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area Imo State.
A statement signed by the deputy national president of the coalition, Comrade Igwe Martin, noted that after the expiration of the two weeks ultimatum given to Ugwu to bring evidence of allegation made against him, it had no choice than to call the attention of security agencies on the urgency of arresting and questioning Ugwu whose misinformed the security agencies and maligned the image of Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzordinma, in a letter given to security agencies purportedly written by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, misinforming that a member of the pro-Biafra group would be buried in December 2024 in Ihiteafoukwu community.
“Defence Headquarters, Inspector General of Police through Imo State Police Command who have done well by not acting on the misinformation from Ethelbert Ugwu should do the needful to halt the community going for self help.
“Finally, Youth and Civil Society Coalition pass vote of confidence to Imo State judiciary for standing firm on truth knowing fully well that injustice anywhere is threat to peace.
“I will stop at nothing in line with the dictates of law and Nigeria constitution to bring peace in Ihiteafoukwu Community and halt the sinister intention of Ethelbert Ugwu moving forward for the seek of peace in the community and Imo State,” Igwe said.
Recall that Ugwu, who had severally jumped journalistic ethics to label Igwe as an ex-convict, appeared in several petitions to the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Musa, over alleged incitement of carnage in Ihitteafoukwu community.
AljazirahNigeria recalls that the coalition had recently ordered Mr Ugwu to apologise to Governor Uzodimma and the people of Imo State within 72 hours for allegedly inciting the invasion of Ihitteafoukwu by the military.
Ugwu was alleged to have falsely informed security agencies of purported arrangement by the IPOB to bury their dead member in the community, thereby causing unnecessary panic in the community for personal gains.
YCSCD had issued ultimatum to Mr Ugwu to retract his actions, noting that such misinformation would have led to total instability in the entire Ahiazu Mbaise and Imo State, but for the swift intervention of community leaders.
As the 72 hours ultimatum given to the false informant elapsed, the coalition in a letter to the CDS and to the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, and Human Rights Radio, notified General Musa of the dangers of the illegal activities of Mr Ugwu to national security and peace, if he is not brought to book.
“I write to bring to your notice, the activities of Mr Ugwu who misinformed security agencies that the Indigenous People of Biafra will bury one of their members in Ihitteafoukwu community, Ahiazu Mbaise, Imo State, during the month of December 2024.
“A purported letter emanating from IPOB was shared. This brought a lot of military presence with many running away from their families, leaving others in fear.
“The same Ugwu went to Imo State Police Headquarters Tiger Base Unit to misinform the department that IPOB is mobilising for burial. He was sent out by the commander who knew him,” Igwe wrote.
He also drew the attention of the defence chief to the alleged fraudulent activities carried out by Ugwu, which he said could cause conflict in families, communities, as well as the local government.
The coalition noted that Ugwu and his likes are confirmed threat to peace in local communities and must be brought to justice.
Acknowledging the commitment of the military to stamp out crime and criminality and safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity, the coalition pledged to continue to compliment their efforts to actualise their mandate for national peace and developmen
