|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Claim: A Facebook user shared a post claiming that Abia State Governor Alex Otti approved the Eastern Security Network (ESN) to protect farmers from Fulani herders.
Verdict: False! No credible evidence supports the claim, and the governor has publicly denied it in an official statement.
Full Text
Clashes between Fulani herders and farmers in Abia State have grown significantly between 2018 and 2023, with tensions often flaring over grazing routes, crop destruction, and land ownership disputes. This period saw a spike in reported incidents, including the 2018 attack in Isuikwuato LGA that led to the destruction of farmlands and the 2021 incident in Uzuakoli, where locals accused herders of violence and intimidation. While genuine conflicts have occurred, social media has spread exaggerated or fabricated claims that stoke ethnic and regional sentiments.
A Facebook page, DBR Nation, claimed on April 5, 2025, that the governor of Abia State in Southeastern Nigeria, Alex Otti, has authorized the Eastern Security Network (ESN) to defend local farmers against Fulani herders.
ESN is a self-styled regional security outfit formed to patrol and protect communities in southeastern Nigeria. Established in response to rising insecurity and tensions between farmers and herders, the group claims to act as a defensive force for residents. However, its activities have created controversy, with critics accusing it of “taking the law into its own hands and contributing to regional instability.”
“JUST IN: Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has approved the involvement of IPOB’s Eastern Security Network (ESN) to confront Fulani herdsmen and protect Abia farmers…” part of the post read.
When the post was seen on April 23, 2025, it had 15 likes, two comments, and two shares. While the claim had little to no engagement, DUBAWA observed that many accounts shared the same post on Facebook. See some, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
Due to the sensitivity of the topic and its virality, DUBAWA decided to investigate the claim.
Verification
Dubawa used keywords from the viral claim to search for credible reports or official statements that confirmed whether the governor approved the ESN to protect farmers.
Our search led to several reports that debunked it, including one published by Premium Times.
Premium Times’ report noted that Governor Alex Otti, through his media adviser, Ferdinand Ekeoma, denied authorising the Eastern Security Network (ESN) to protect farmers.
He described the claim as “false, malicious and misleading,” affirming that the state government would never rely on non-state actors for security. Instead, he stressed the state’s confidence in its official security agencies and the establishment of a joint task force named “Operation Crush”, which has been effective in maintaining peace. Otti also accused those spreading the claim of playing “dirty politics” and inciting fear for selfish reasons.
Several other news outlets buttressed the statement, lending further weight to the governor’s denial highlighted in the initial report. This can be seen here, here, here, and here.
Aside from the report, a thorough review of credible media coverage revealed no record of Governor Otti making such a statement or endorsing ESN’s involvement.
Also, the viral posts did not specify the date or location of the alleged statement, which often signals a fabricated claim.
Just as these reports clearly outlined the governor’s official position, any approval of the ESN by Governor Otti would have been widely publicised by credible news outlets and the state’s official channels if it were true.
Conclusion
The claim that Abia State Governor Alex Otti authorised the ESN to protect farmers or confront Fulani herders is false. The governor’s media aide denied the claim, which was reported by several credible news platforms.
