We Didn’t Engage ESN To Fight Crime—Abia Govt
The Abia State Government has firmly debunked claims circulating online that it has engaged the services of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), a militia group linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to fight crime and protect farmers in the state.
In a strongly worded statement released on Sunday, April 6, 2025, by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, the government described the allegation as “false, malicious, and misleading”, urging the public to disregard the report entirely.
The fake report, which was attributed to a faceless blog, had claimed that Governor Alex Otti had given approval for ESN operatives to assist in confronting herdsmen and safeguarding local farmers. The government said the intention behind the post was to sow tension, incite disaffection, and destabilise the state.
“For the record, the government of Abia State under the leadership of Dr Alex Otti could not have contemplated embracing the services of non-state actors to fight criminals and insecurity of any kind in any part of the state,” the statement read in part.
Ekeoma emphasised that the Otti administration remains fully committed to working with the country’s recognised security agencies. He noted that this collaboration led to the formation of “Operation Crush”, a joint task force that has recorded significant success in maintaining law and order across Abia State.
He added that while the state continues to confront isolated incidents of robbery and kidnapping, efforts are ongoing to ensure the total elimination of such crimes.
The government warned those behind the “dirty politics” of spreading fake news to incite fear and violence, stressing that they will face the full wrath of the law once apprehended.
Residents of the state were advised to remain calm and vigilant and to ignore the misinformation, which the government said is the handiwork of desperate enemies with selfish motives.
The government urged Abia residents to ignore the false statement and see it as another move by desperate enemies of the state to present it in a bad light for their selfish agenda
We Didn’t Engage ESN To Fight Crime—Abia Govt is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
