Enugu State government has vowed to track down and prosecute scaremongers spreading fake news about some gunmenUnknown Gunmen enforcing illegal sit-at-home in some parts of the state on Wednesday.
SaharaReporters had reported that there were commotion and panic in the state capital on Wednesday as residents scampered to safety over rumours of unknown gunmen enforcing a one-week sit-at-home.
It had been reported that schools and markets were abruptly shut down after the rumours spread despite the presence of security operatives on major roads and strategic places.
SaharaReporters observed that students in schools that had no perimeter fences were immediately dismissed to go home.
Reacting to the incident, the government in a statement issued through the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, said that peddlers and instigators of the fake news and pandemonium were already being tracked down by security agencies with a view to bringing them to book.
Onyia stated that the unfortunate incident was caused by the enemies of peace and progress, who wanted to test the government resolve to end the illegal sit-at-home order by intentionally spreading panic and fear among the good people and residents of state.
The statement partly read, “The Enugu State Government has monitored and assessed reports of alleged incidents of shooting in parts of the state today, and found them to be mere scaremongering by the enemies of peace and progress, who want to test our resolve to end the illegal sit-at-home order by intentionally spreading panic and fear among the good people and residents of our state.
“The peddlers and instigators of the fake news and pandemonium are already being tracked down by government and the security agencies with a view to bringing them to book.”
The SSG appealed to the residents of the State and general public to disregard the falsehoods and fake images being spread on social media platforms and go about their normal businesses, assuring that adequate security measures have been put in place to enforce law and order as well as safeguard lives and property.
“We must not succumb to the evil machinations of those, who have no stake in our state; those who mostly live, work, and educate their children overseas, while destroying the economy of our people and the education and future of our children at home.
“The government hereby reiterates that the ban on sit-at-home in Enugu State stands and will be enforced to the full extent of the law. All offices, markets, business premises, schools, among others, remain open and fully functional.
“Those who want to test the collective resolve and strength of Ndi Enugu will not only be defeated, but will be meted the full wrath of the law.”
