Ebonyi Govt Slams Sahara Reporters Over Misleading Report

The Ebonyi State Government has strongly condemned Sahara Reporters for its publication on February 4, 2025, alleging that the state government spent N8.3 billion on official vehicles amidst rising killings in the state.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Engr. Jude Chikadibia Okpor, the government described the publication as “a malevolent diatribe” and “a rape of professionalism.”

“The publication by Sahara Reporters is to say the least, a rape of professionalism and the greatest height of the organisation and its reporters’ insensitivity,” the statement read.

The government clarified that the N8.3 billion expenditure was part of the 2024 budget, which included the purchase of vehicles for medical doctors, Hiace buses for EBOTRANS, ambulances, and vehicles for government officials.

“Sahara Reporters has once again displayed their naked ignorance by reporting that the funds were spent on only 20 vehicles,” the statement added.

The government emphasized that Ebonyi State has remained one of the most peaceful and secured states in Nigeria, with a cumulative casualty rating of only 1% from diverse forms of insecurity, according to the African Centre for Media, Governance, and Peace Building.

“We warn Sahara Reporters to desist from incisive publications and seek clarifications when in doubt,” the statement concluded. “They should be prepared to answer pertinent questions that may arise from their actions.”

The government also stated that Sahara Reporters’ publication was a deliberate attempt to link the purchase of official vehicles to the recent massacre in Amagu Nkalaha, Ishielu Local Government Area, which left over 10 people dead.

“The two incidents are unrelated, and Sahara Reporters is engaging in junk journalism,” the statement read.

Furthermore, the government noted that Sahara Reporters had previously raised the issue of the state budget in connection with the said official vehicles, and that the state government had given a comprehensive clarification.

“Hiding under the recent unfortunate calamity on the state to bring up the issue again evidences the fact that Sahara Reporter are involved in a hatchet job,” the statement added.