Enugu, NIGERIA — The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has fiercely rejected any association with a viral video inciting violence against Yoruba and Edo communities. The group insists that the woman behind the inflammatory video is not Igbo, labeling her actions as wholly unrepresentative of Igbo values.
The video in question, attributed to a TikTok user named @Anyi_anambra, shockingly calls for poisoning the food of Yoruba and Benin people. The inflammatory content, which has sparked widespread alarm, allegedly encourages the Igbo community to join in this malevolent scheme.
Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, issued a strong refutation in a statement on Wednesday. He emphasized that the woman behind the video does not embody the Igbo principles of thoughtfulness, discretion, or communal harmony. According to Ogbonnia, the video appears to be the work of a “deranged psychopath” or a fabricated narrative designed to provoke ethnic discord.
The video’s virality has prompted significant concern among the public, with numerous high-profile figures expressing fears over the potential for real-life repercussions. This led Ohanaeze Ndigbo to address the issue directly, particularly after Mr. Jare Ajayi, the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, forwarded the video and urged immediate action.
Ogbonnia highlighted the irony in the video’s threats, pointing out that the Igbo community is deeply integrated across Nigeria and would not support such actions. He noted that the extensive travel and local integration of Igbo people make the notion of targeting other communities not only impractical but also counterproductive.
In response to the controversy, Amb. Okey Emuchay, Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, condemned the video and its creator as a “mischief-maker” aiming to sow discord. Emuchay underscored the longstanding cultural, social, and familial ties between the Igbo, Yoruba, and Edo peoples, asserting that such divisive rhetoric is baseless and harmful.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo used the opportunity to remind younger generations of the deep connections shared among these ethnic groups, citing historical inter-marriages and mutual contributions to community development. The organization reassured Yoruba and Edo communities that the video’s threats are “idiotic” and “meaningless,” urging security agencies to track down the perpetrators and ensure they face legal consequences.
The organization’s statement aims to quell fears and reinforce the bonds between Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups, calling for unity and mutual respect in the face of provocations.
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