Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed leader of the separatist and proscribed group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has claimed that approximately 15 mercenaries from the Middle East have entered Imo State with the intention of manipulating the elections. This claim follows closely on the heels of his recent assertion of a self-declared lockdown in the state.
In his statement, Ekpa suggested that these mercenaries arrived from Saudi Arabia and were in the state to counter the Biafra liberation movement.
Claim: 15 Saudi Arabia Mercenaries Arrived Imo State to Fight Biafra Liberation
Verification
In a conversation with the CDD War Room, the Public Relations Officer of the Imo State command, Henry Okoye, refuted both claims, categorically stating that they were misguided and delusional. Okoye affirmed the presence of security agencies on the ground in the state and reassured the public of a secure election environment.
When asked about allegations of human rights abuses and the arrests of mercenaries, the PRO vehemently denied these claims, emphasizing that no such incidents had occurred in the state. Okoye explained that reports of such events had been disseminated by the media with the intent to sow fear and tension within the state. He further urged the public to dismiss any claims and recommendations made by Ekpa.
We also found no credible news reports to support the claim by Ekpa. Reports that buttress the claim by Ekpa are from pro-Biafra blogs and pages online.
Verdict: No Evidence
There is no evidence to buttress the claim that 15 Saudi Arabia Mercenaries arrived in Imo State to Fight Biafra Liberation as suggested by Ekpa. CDD War Room contacted security agencies as well as credible news organizations and found no such claim. Also, no CDD soldier of mouth reported sighting any foreign mercenary anywhere in the state.