False Claim Linking Arrested Youths To Murder In Anambra Fuels Hate And Ethnic Misrepresentation Online

 

A disturbing trend of ethnic-fueled misinformation continues to dominate conversations on social media, where unrelated images and narratives are being recycled to incite hatred and reinforce prejudices. The most recent example involves a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) by user @Chukwudi_ezeoo. The post, which quickly went viral, falsely alleged that four siblings from Anambra State were arrested for kidnapping and killing their own father.

The message accompanying the image, uploaded on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, read: “Three sisters from Anambra state and their brother were arrested for kidnapping and killing their father. Igbo youth are becoming more barbaric.” The statement was accompanied by a photo of four young individuals, presented as evidence to support the claim.

By Saturday, August 30, 2025, the post had attracted significant attention, amassing more than 83,000 views, 1,000 likes, 406 reposts, 104 bookmarks, and 60 quoted responses. Many users in the comment section accepted the claim at face value and even praised the poster for allegedly speaking “truth to power.” Some comments suggested the supposed incident was an example of moral decline within Igbo communities.

One user, @Beyond70731, applauded the claimant, writing: “If there are Ibos like you, believe me, things will get better for the Ibos.” Another user, @Otomporo8701, wrote: “There is something wrong with that Anambra State from the spiritual realm.” Others went further, attributing the supposed crime to family dysfunction. “Handiwork of a bad mother. Their mother must have engineered them into doing this,” commented @ArinzePesky.

Although a handful of sceptics expressed doubt about the story and attempted to fact-check using platforms like Grok, they could not independently verify the authenticity of the post. As a result, the misinformation spread rapidly, echoing across Facebook where similar posts emerged, thereby reinforcing the false narrative.

The fact-checking organisation DUBAWA intervened to scrutinize the claims and uncovered the truth behind the viral photo. Contrary to the assertion that the suspects were Anambra siblings guilty of murdering their father, the image was traced to an entirely different case.

Reports from Punch newspaper, published on March 23, 2024, revealed that the individuals in the photo were arrested in Lagos State for staging a fake kidnapping. Those involved were identified as Margaret Itodo (25), Esther Anyanwu (24), Anthony Chinakwe (24), and the supposed victim, Agnes Ogbeh.

According to police investigations, Agnes, a resident of Akure, travelled to Lagos on March 19, 2024. Soon after, her family received a disturbing video showing Agnes and another person allegedly held hostage. A ransom of N5 million was demanded. However, detectives discovered that the abduction had been staged. Agnes had conspired with the others to create the video as part of a scheme to extort her family.

The Nation newspaper also covered this case at the time, corroborating the details and confirming that it had nothing to do with siblings from Anambra or any alleged patricide.

This revelation highlights how old media materials can be twisted to fit a divisive narrative. By presenting the suspects as members of a particular ethnic group involved in heinous acts, the false claim successfully weaponized misinformation to stir ethnic prejudice.

Ethnic-based propaganda on social media has proven especially damaging, as it often exploits existing societal fault lines. Such posts encourage hostility, painting entire groups with the brush of isolated crimes or fabricated stories. They also contribute to a toxic atmosphere where individuals feel justified in making sweeping generalizations that can escalate into offline tension.

Analysts warn that this pattern of ethnic scapegoating undermines social cohesion and creates fertile ground for conflict. By framing misinformation within an ethnic context, content creators not only sensationalize crime but also harden stereotypes that make reconciliation across divides more difficult.

Social media users are encouraged to remain cautious, verify sources, and avoid amplifying unverified claims that could worsen divisions. Fact-checking organisations like DUBAWA continue to play a vital role in debunking such narratives, but the responsibility ultimately lies with individuals to exercise discretion before reposting incendiary content.

The case of Agnes and her accomplices should serve as a reminder that misinformation is not just a harmless exaggeration. It has the power to mislead thousands of people within days, fuel ethnic animosity, and distort reality to serve malicious agendas. Without collective vigilance, such narratives will continue to thrive, leaving deeper scars on national unity.