National Urhobo Vanguard Threatens Sahara Reporters With Legal Action Over Fake News

By Wilson Macaulay, Delta

The National Urhobo Vanguard Apex Body has strongly condemned Sahara Reporters for publishing what it calls “malicious and misleading falsehoods” targeting the management of the Petroleum Training Institute (P.T.I) in Effurun, Delta State.

They view the reports as unjust and harmful to the reputation of the institute’s leadership.

In a press statement released on Tuesday, July 15th, 2025, and jointly signed by Hon. Bamwa Austine (Chairman) and Chief Daniel Umukoro, the group described the publication as a calculated attempt to dent the reputation of the institute and mislead the general public with unverified claims of flooded classrooms and snake-infested hostels.

The body, which represents a coalition of Urhobo interest groups across the nation, said it carried out an independent assessment of P.T.I facilities and found the allegations to be baseless and malicious.

“As a socio-cultural watchdog committed to truth and transparency, we visited the campus and discovered that all classrooms, hostels, and equipment are in excellent condition, with modern drainage systems in place to prevent any form of flooding,” the statement read in part.

 

The group further warned that if Sahara Reporters fails to tender a public apology in three national dailies within seven days, legal action would be taken to seek redress.

“This kind of journalism is unethical and dangerous. It undermines institutions that are working hard and progressing. P.T.I remains one of the most respected academic institutions in the Niger Delta,” the statement added.

The National Urhobo Vanguard Apex Body called on the general public to disregard the false report, noting that such publications only serve to distract from the developmental strides made by the institute.