Godsgift Onyedinefu
The Nigerian Navy has dismissed viral reports that a naval officer was killed by a militant group identified as ‘Black Marine’ at Oron Beach,Akwa-ibom as fake news.
The group according to the report is suspected to be the armed wing of Biafra Nations League (BNL) which is a separatist group operating at the Bakassi Peninsula.
The Navy in a statement on Tuesday signed by its spokesperson Commodore Suleman Dahun informed that the incident has been investigated and found to be false.
“The public is therefore requested to note that no such incident occurred at the Beach. Additionally, it is to be noted that there has never been any activity of BNL at the Beach and in Oron generally both in the past and as at the time of the investigation. The Beach was observed to be calm and peaceful while all operators were conducting their activities unhindered,” the statement read.
“The social media report could be considered to be ‘Fake News’. It should therefore be disregarded in its entirety as it could be a propaganda by BNL to deliberately cause panic and apprehension at the popular Oron Beach,” the statement added.
However, the Naval units and formations have been directed to intensify patrols to reassure legitimate business men in that general area of their safety and security.