*PRESS STATEMENT*
RE: “WE ARE TIRED OF DYING, KOGI WOMEN PROTEST HALF-NAKED OVER RISING INSECURITY IN OKE-ERE” – A FALSE AND MISLEADING REPORT BY AKELICIOUS.NET
Our attention has been drawn to a grossly misleading and sensationalist report published by www.akelicious.net on April 9, 2025, titled “We Are Tired of Dying, Kogi Women Protest Half-Naked Over Rising Insecurity in Oke-Ere.” This report is entirely false, lacks journalistic integrity, and fails to meet the most basic standards of truth, balance, and responsible reporting.
Let it be categorically stated that no protest against insecurity took place in Oke-Ere or any part of Yagba West Local Government Area. The event in question was a traditional spiritual procession by elderly women, a culturally revered practice wherein supplications are made to the gods of the land to bring about rainfall for a productive farming season. As a matter of divine affirmation, rain indeed fell yesterday, shortly after the spiritual rite was observed—further validating the intent, solemnity, and significance of the ceremony.
It is both reprehensible and regrettable that akelicious.net chose to twist a sacred cultural observance into a false narrative of protest and insecurity. Such deliberate misrepresentation is an affront to our tradition, an insult to the intelligence of our people, and a reckless provocation aimed at inciting fear and instability.
We are convinced that those attempting to frame this peaceful, religious rite as a protest are nothing but bad eggs, political jobbers, and frustrated individuals who derive pleasure in promoting chaos and confusion. These elements will only be satisfied when fire, brimstone, and anarchy descend upon the peaceful land of Yagba West—but they shall not prevail.
We wish to assure the public that Yagba West is not under siege. The local administration, in collaboration with security agencies and community stakeholders, is recording substantial progress in securing our communities. Isolated incidents do not define our current security reality. The narrative of an unsafe Yagba West is not only inaccurate but maliciously crafted to score cheap political points.
We are particularly alarmed that akelicious.net made no attempt to verify its claims—not even by interviewing any of the women involved in the procession. This blatant disregard for basic journalistic ethics calls into question the motives behind the publication and betrays a disturbing pattern of misinformation.
In light of this, we are giving akelicious.net 24 hours from the time of this release to retract the false publication and issue a public apology. Failure to comply will leave us with no option but to initiate legal action for defamation, misinformation, and incitement capable of disrupting public peace and tarnishing the good image of our people and land.
We call on all media platforms, both online and offline, to rise to the responsibility of accurate and ethical journalism. Yagba West deserves better. The truth deserves better.
*Adeyemi Babarinde Sunday,*
Chief Press Secretary, Yagba West Local Government Council.
*09-04-2025*
