Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Anambra State Government has denied reports making the rounds that security agencies in the state have been instructed to arrest girls walking around the streets without pants and bras.
Press Secretary to the Governor of the State, Christian Aburime, made this known in a statement he released to journalists in Awka, Anambra State.
Aburime said the reports are not just malicious but mischievous and calculated to mislead the public and paint the state government in bad light.
He said even though government of the state encourages decent dressing for all, it does not interfere with citizens’ personal choices of clothing or undergarments, as such matters are private and protected by the Constitution of the country.
He urged citizens to always verify information that comes their way to avoid being misinformed, warning peddlers of false information to desist from such acts of misinformation that could create unnecessary panic and tension in society.
The statement reads in full: “The attention of the Anambra State Government has been drawn to a malicious and entirely false information circulating on social media platforms, claiming that “Anambra State Government begins arrest of girls who walk around without bras and pants before they start walking naked.”
“We wish to categorically state that this information is not only false but also mischievous and calculated to mislead the public and paint the state government in bad light.
“The Anambra State Government, under the leadership of Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, remains committed to protecting the fundamental human rights and dignity of all citizens. Although the government encourages decent dressing for all, it does not interfere with citizens’ personal choices of clothing or undergarments, as such matters are private and protected by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We urge the public to disregard this fake news and always verify information from official government channels before sharing. The peddlers of this false information are advised to desist from such acts of misinformation that could create unnecessary panic and tension in society.
“The Anambra State Government will continue to focus on serious issues of security of lives and property, human capital development, economic transformation of the state, and urban regeneration agenda, among others.”
