Ohanaeze Ndigbo slams The New York Times over “screwdriver trader” report

The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has slammed The New York Times over its recentpiece claiming that Emeka Umeagbalasi, an Onitsha-based screwdriver seller influenced Donald Trump’s decision to bomb Sokoto village on December 26.

The Igbo socio-political group on Tuesday said such an article shows the international media organisation is focused on fueling a repeat of the 1966 anti-Igbo pogrom.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, January 20, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the

Deputy President General of Ohanaeze and Chinyereze Ohia, its National Spokesman described the article as a misfire on the Federal Government’s $9 million lobby deal.

According to the duo, the Igbos, mainly Nigerians from the Southeast region, have not and have they ever been involved in any capacity as intelligence providers or participants in the United States’ efforts against terrorist networks in Nigeria.

Denouncing the implication by the New York Times that any Igbo man was instrumental in providing information that led to the launch of airstrikes by the American government in Sokoto, Ohanaeze described the attempt to implicate the Igbos on US’ decision as unfair.

“Our concerns are deeply rooted in historical precedent. The recent New York Times article, which attempts to portray an Igbo individual, purportedly a “screwdriver seller” from Onitsha, as a key source of intelligence for the US airstrikes, mirrors the insidious propaganda campaign that fueled ethnic tensions leading up to the tragic events of 1966. We find this narrative, particularly the timing and context of its dissemination, deeply troubling.

“The article’s assertion that this individual influenced President Trump’s actions is not only far-fetched but also demonstrably designed to incite tribal animosity and suspicion against the Igbo population, particularly those residing in Northern Nigeria. We note that the publication is supported by Nigerian freelance photographer, Taiwo Aina,” the statement said.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo warned the international media not to allow itself to be manipulated into disseminating inflammatory reports, as the article could have devastating consequences like fostering ethnic division and unrest within Nigeria.

“The ludicrous portrayal of an Onitsha-based trader, acting as a crucial intelligence asset, is patently absurd and, frankly, insulting. It is a clear attempt to resurrect the age-old tactic of scapegoating the Igbo for the problems of Nigeria.

“The haunting memories of the 1966 pogrom against the Igbo remain etched in our collective consciousness.

“We are acutely aware of the detrimental role played by certain international media organisations, who wrongfully portrayed the January 15, 1966, coup as an “Igbo Coup,” a narrative that contributed to the subsequent July 1966 counter-coup and the ensuing genocide,” it added.

The group also noted that the New York Times‘ article is taking a similar dangerous path with the Igbos constantly and unfairly blamed for Nigeria’s woes.

On behalf of the apex Igbo group, Isiguzoro and Ohia demanded an immediate and unreserved apology from the New York Times for such a “misleading and potentially dangerous article.”

They also called for the retraction of the report while stating that Ohanaeze holds the New York Times accountable for any escalation of tensions that this article may incite, particularly within Northern Nigeria.

“Furthermore, we implore all Igbo civil rights organisations to refrain from commenting on security matters pertaining to the US-Nigeria collaboration against ISIS and other terrorist groups in Nigeria, so that our concerns do not get twisted out of proportion, or to justify the article,” the group said.

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