People of Okija in the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State are living in fear following the alleged discovery of a large cache of guns in the community.
It was gathered that some children, who went to fetch firewood in the bush, reportedly discovered the cache of arms.
The guns, said to be about 50 pieces of AK-47 rifles, were purportedly stockpiled by some herdsmen for a possible attack on the community.
A community leader in the area, Aaron Igwebueze, said that the residents had beefed up security in the neighbourhood as a result of the development.
Igwebueze stated, “I have not seen the guns, but my quarter of the community has briefed our local vigilantes to be extra vigilant.
“You know there is no smoke without fire. We are doing the best we can and leave the rest to God. We don’t want to be caught unawares.”
However, the Anambra State Police Command, in a statement on Tuesday in Awka, dispelled the story, describing it as false.
The statement by the command’s spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, said nothing like that was discovered in the state.
He asked members of the public to disregard the story, describing it as the figment of the imagination of mischief makers.
The statement read in part, “The attention of the Anambra State Police Command has been drawn to a story that some children went to fetch firewood at Okija in Anambra State and discovered about 50 pieces of AK-47 guns allegedly hidden by Fulani herdsmen in wait for a planned assault.
“The children were said to have reported to some elders, who handed over the rifles to the police. The story is false and orchestrated by mischief makers, who are bent on creating chaos in the state in order to achieve their selfish desires.
“Persons circulating this inciting story are warned to desist forthwith as anyone apprehended will face the full wrath of the law.”
The command reassured residents of the state of adequate protection and urged them to disregard the fake news and go about their legitimate business without fear of any molestation.