The Edo State Government has firmly denied allegations by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) that Governor Monday Okpebholo approved a N6 billion compensation to “Fulani terrorists” in connection with the recent Uromi killings.

In a strongly worded statement on Thursday, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Fred Itua, described the claim as “fictitious, malicious, and deliberately misleading.”

IPOB had alleged in a press release dated April 21 that the governor secretly paid compensation to the families of 16 hunters from Kano State who were lynched on March 28 in the Udune Efandion community of Uromi, Edo State.

Reacting to the claims, the Edo government stated, “No compensation of N6 billion was approved or paid to any group.”

Itua accused the proscribed group of attempting to sow ethnic discord. “We consider this publication not only inciting but also a vile attempt by a terrorist group to distort facts, sow ethnic division, and destabilise the peace and unity of Edo State,” he said.

Governor Okpebholo had visited Kano following the killings to express condolences and discourage retaliatory violence. A delegation from Kano later visited Edo to discuss possible support for the victims’ families, but the state insists no financial compensation was paid.

“It is a familiar strategy of IPOB to spew falsehood and incite hatred under the guise of activism,” Itua continued. “Their desperate attempt to drag Governor Okpebholo into their agenda of violence and ethnic disintegration will fail.”

The government reaffirmed its commitment to peace and justice for all residents regardless of background. “We stand with the people. We stand for the truth. And we reject terrorism in every form,” the statement concluded.

Edo officials also called on security agencies to investigate the origin of the false claims, warning that no individual or group should be allowed to endanger public peace.