By Anthony Maliki
Ishinkwo Community Development Union (ICDU) Worldwide has refuted the misleading media reports published in some national dailies on the 7, June 2023 about some incidences surrounding their community.
They mentioned the media outlets as The Punch Newspaper and Daily Post Newspaper among others.
This was contained in a statement by Comrade Joseph Itumo, President ICDU worldwide to Apex News Exclusive on Wednesday.
These reports alleged that Ishinkwo warriors killed two individuals and injured one in the Abaomege-Ishinkwo crisis area of Onicha Local Government Area in Ebonyi State.According to the statement, ICDU Worldwide categorically denies these allegations and considers them to be a misrepresentation of the facts.“We condemn the publication of such false information, which has the potential to incite further unrest and damage the reputation of the Ishinkwo community and her people,” the statement explained.According to the statement, for the records, there is no such organization in Ishinkwo Community known as ‘Ishinkwo Warriors’, the alleged killings happened right in Abaomege meaning the there is a high possibility that Abaomege People must have carried out the dastardly act, one of the survivors of the alleged attack confirmed that it was not Ishinkwo People that attacked them and the Commissioner of Police also noted that an intensive manhunt is on to arrest the fleeing suspects. Meaning that even the police is yet to unravel the true identities of the suspects.ICDU Worldwide urged media organizations responsible for publishing these reports to immediately retract the false information and issue a public apology for their inaccurate and misleading coverage.It also called upon them to exercise responsible journalism by verifying information before publishing it, especially when it pertains to sensitive matters such as communal conflicts.ICDU Worldwide reaffirms its commitment to peace and harmony within the Ishinkwo community and its neighbours. We are actively engaged in initiatives to promote dialogue, reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence. We call upon all stakeholders, including the media, to support these efforts and contribute to accurate reporting that fosters understanding and unity among communities.Besides, the statement pointed out that ICDU Worldwide would continue to monitor the situation closely and provide accurate information to the public.It stressed that ICDU remains dedicated to working towards a peaceful resolution of any conflicts and to promoting the overall development and progress of the Ishinkwo community, Ebonyi State and Nigeria in general.
