Ohanaeze false call to arms claim dismissed as leaders say viral message urging weapons is fabricated and dangerous

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has rejected what it described as an Ohanaeze false call to arms circulating on social media, which falsely claimed that the group’s President-General, Senator Azuta Mbata, urged Igbo men to acquire weapons because “a war is coming”.

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In a press statement issued on Saturday, the National Publicity Secretary, Dr Ezechi Chukwu, said the viral message did not emanate from the organisation or any of its recognised communication channels.

The message, widely shared online, alleged that Senator Azuta Mbata issued an “urgent call to arms” directing Igbo men aged 18 and above to obtain guns.

Dr Chukwu dismissed the claim as “false, malicious and incendiary”, warning that the fabricated story was designed to incite fear and portray Ndigbo as promoters of violence.

Dr Chukwu stated that Senator Azuta Mbata had never made such statements and had not authorised any publication of that nature.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo described the narrative as a dangerous fabrication intended to disrupt public peace and damage the group’s reputation.

The organisation emphasised that its leadership remains committed to peaceful advocacy, dialogue and constitutional engagement for the welfare of Ndigbo within Nigeria.

Dr Chukwu called on security agencies to investigate the source of the misinformation and bring those responsible to justice, noting that the circulation of such content posed a threat to national security and inter-ethnic harmony.

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Ohanaeze also urged members of the public to disregard the viral message and rely only on verified communication channels for official statements.