The Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe, has denied reports that he issued a warning to northern youths concerning the killing of hunters in Edo State.
The rumors had suggested that the monarch had advised northerners to refrain from retaliatory attacks on Igbos following the deaths of 16 hunters.
A statement from his Chief of Staff, Osita Anionwu, released on Thursday, made it clear that the Obi had not commented on the incident.
He described the claim as “false” and “provocative,” calling on the public to disregard the misleading report.
“The Palace of the Obi of Onitsha wishes to clarify that His Majesty, Nnaemeka Achebe (Agbogidi), has not issued any statement regarding the recent killings in Edo State,” the statement read.
“Moreover, no warnings have been given by him on the matter. This is yet another attempt to falsely attribute divisive statements to His Majesty.”
The palace urged the public to ignore the fabricated story and instead focus on promoting peace and understanding.
“As a long-time advocate for unity among Nigerians, His Majesty remains committed to fostering respect and cooperation across ethnic and regional divides. Let us work together to build bridges, not barriers,” the statement concluded.