Gbomka Ebiri, the head of the US-based Yoruba First organization, has made alarming threats against Edo State, promising to invade the region, abduct the local monarch, and commit acts of violence. During a live social media broadcast, Ebiri, who is based in Atlanta, Georgia, announced his intentions in a disturbing and inflammatory manner.
In an audio recording shared by user @Voiceofigbos on X, Ebiri can be heard stating, “I will invade Edo, kidnap your king, have his wife raped, and pursue him to Calabar just as the white people did.” This provocative statement has raised significant concern and condemnation.
Ebiri’s threats come amid a national outcry following similar inflammatory comments made by Amaka Patience Sonnberger, a Nigerian resident in Ontario, Canada. Sonnberger had made a viral TikTok video threatening to poison Yoruba and Benin people at her workplace, which prompted immediate action from Nigerian authorities.
In response to Sonnberger’s threats, the Nigerian House of Representatives and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) contacted Canadian authorities, resulting in her detention.
The situation has sparked calls from various Nigerians for the arrest of individuals making hateful statements, including President Bola Tinubu’s aide, Bayo Onanuga, and prominent loyalist MC Oluomo, among others. This demand reflects growing concern over hate speech and threats targeting different ethnic groups within Nigeria.
The escalation of these threats has intensified calls for increased vigilance and measures to address hate speech and inter-ethnic violence in the country
