Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A Catholic priest has ignited a fresh wave of debate over ethnic identity and systemic prejudice in Nigeria, declaring that Igbos are forced to deny their heritage because the country has been weaponised against them. Fada Angelo Chidi Unegbu, a Catholic priest of the Diocese of Okigwe based in Germany, made the assertion on Friday, July 24, 2026, while reacting to a viral video showing a police officer threatening a motorist with ethnic slurs during a routine stop along the Lagos-Sagamu Expressway. The priest's comments have drawn widespread attention, reigniting discussions about discrimination, marginalisation, and the survival instincts of the Igbo people in Nigeria's complex socio-political landscape.
The video that sparked the priest's outrage shows a police officer at a checkpoint inspecting a traveller's documents. After checking the motorist's identity card, the officer was heard saying, "If you were Igbo, I would have detained you." The motorist, who had just returned from the United Kingdom and was reportedly a resident of Akure, had refused to offer money to the officers after they demanded payment. His refusal triggered a heated exchange, during which the officer also threatened to slap him. The disturbing footage, which quickly went viral on Friday morning, has triggered widespread condemnation and prompted the Ondo State Police Command to launch an investigation.
Reacting to the video in a Facebook post, Fada Angelo did not hold back. He wrote: "Do you now realise why Ndigbo are the only people I know on this earth proudly denying their identity? Because Nigeria is a weapon fashioned against them." The priest went further, alleging that many Igbos have been compelled to change their surnames to English names and even alter their states of origin to escape persecution. "Only God knows how many Igbo people have changed not only their names but also their state of origin," he stated.
Fada Angelo's remarks come at a time when the issue of Igbo identity and marginalisation has become a recurring theme in national discourse. The priest, who has previously spoken out on issues of injustice and the plight of the Igbo people, urged his kinsmen to stand firm in their identity. "If you are Igbo, listen to this: never change your name, state, or deny your identity because of persecution in Nigeria. That is exactly what they want you to do. They know that your greatest weapon is your unity. That unity is what they are targeting," he wrote.
He concluded with a message of hope and defiance: "Remain Igbo. Be proud of it. You did not commit any crime by being Igbo. Your ancestors did not commit any crime by defending themselves when war was brought to them. One day, the sun will rise to dispel this darkness of hatred, oppression, and subjugation. One day we shall live in a country we can proudly call home. Now you understand why Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is in prison. He is Igbo."
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has confirmed that the officer in the viral video has been identified and detained. The Police Public Relations Officer for Ondo State, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the command does not condone unprofessional conduct and has commenced a thorough investigation into the incident. The Nigeria Police Force, through its Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, also confirmed the detention, stating that necessary action is ongoing. No further details on disciplinary measures have been released.
The viral incident has sparked widespread public outrage, with many Nigerians condemning both the alleged attempt at extortion and the officer's ethnic remark. The priest's intervention has added a powerful moral dimension to the debate, framing the incident not as an isolated act of misconduct but as part of a broader pattern of systemic discrimination against the Igbo people. As the investigation continues, Fada Angelo's words serve as a stark reminder of the deep-seated ethnic tensions that continue to challenge Nigeria's quest for national unity and the daily struggles of those who must navigate a society where their identity can be used as a weapon against them.
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