News Editor
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invites Edo CP to arrest culprits
By our correspondent, Emmanuel Ezikel in Benin
The Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa has called on the Edo State Commissioner of Police to investigate and arrest those involved in spreading false alarms of tension in Edo over an appointment made by Governor Monday Okpebholo in the Hospital Management Agency.
According to the Coalition, “Our attention has been drawn to a false news story being circulated by alarmists titled: Tension in Ministry of Health over Appointment in Hospital Management Agency.”
In a statement issued in Benin City over the weekend and signed by its South-South Regional Coordinator, Mr. Bright Osawe, the Coalition warned the public against raising false alarms about events that did not happen, as such acts could throw the state into unnecessary confusion.
“We call on the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Mr. Umoru Ozigi, to deal decisively with anyone caught engaging in such provocative acts,” the statement said.
The Coalition noted that it had visited the Ministry of Health and the Hospital Management Agency and found no evidence of tension over any appointment made by the governor.
The statement reads in part, “We want to draw the attention of the Edo State Police Command to a negative trend that is fast becoming a habit in the state. Raising false alarms puts unnecessary fear in the hearts of the people and must be stopped.
“The Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa is miffed by the rate at which individuals in their comfort zones cause undue stress to the police and the public with baseless claims of tension in the Ministry of Health. This is unhealthy for the mental well-being of our people, especially considering past security events in the state.
“We invite the Commissioner of Police, CP Umoru Ozigi, to order a thorough investigation into these false alarms. Alarmists must desist or face the full wrath of the law. The command should not fold its hands and allow such evils to fester within the state.
“The police have a duty to arrest those spreading fake news on social media, along with their sponsors and everyone connected to it. We have a new administration in the state, led by Senator Monday Okpebholo, that does not need such distractions. He has made his appointment, and those unhappy with it should approach the appropriate channels rather than trying to cause tension in our peaceful state.”
