Wait First: Was IPOB Responsible for Ebonyi Sit-At-Home Shooting?

A viral video shared on different platforms, including Twitter and WhatsApp, claims that gunmen were shooting in a market in Ebonyi on July 4, 2023. In the clip’s background, a male voice says, “Destroy them, destroy them, sit at home. Nnamdi Kanu must be released.”

On Wait First, we sort claims into three categories. If it’s true, it gets a fresh banana rating from us. A false claim is burnt dodo, and a misleading claim is cold zobo.

So is this video true, or is it doctored?

Background

Nnamdi Kanu is the leader of the separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). He has, however, been in the custody of the Department of State Services since his re-arrest in June 2021. He was initially captured in October 2015 but escaped. His current incarceration is happening despite a court order mandating his release.

According to fact-checkers at the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), the IPOB first issued a sit-at-home order in August 2021. The order grinds all economic activity to a halt in the southeastern part of Nigeria. According to the IPOB, it will be held every Monday until Nnamdi Kanu is released. The order was revised to only occur on days when Kanu was due in court.

CDD reports, “On June 14 2023, Finland-based Simon Ekpa, leader of Autopilot (a faction of IPOB), issued a statement which declared a five-day sit-at-home order in the southeastern part of Nigeria. Ekpa stated that the order would hold from 3 to 5 July and continue from 7 to 10 July.”

ALSO, READ: Who’s This Simon Ekpa Guy Running IPOB?

Verification

The CDD fact-checked the video. Here’s what they found:

“The CDD War Room can confirm that the video emanated from Abakaliki, Ebonyi state. The video was not doctored, and investigations proved that it first surfaced online on July 4, 2023.

Credible media agencies like Premium Times and Vanguard News have reported that the incident did occur at the Ishieke market in Ebonyi state.

However, it’s not certain whether the gunmen are members of IPOB or otherwise.

IPOB is yet to claim responsibility or deny the activities of the gunmen.”

Verdict

The claim that gunmen attacked and shot at a marketplace in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state, on July 4, 2023, is true and, therefore, fresh banana. However, IPOB is yet to claim responsibility for it.