*Advises herdsmen to stay clear from Ebonyi till peace returns
By Amuche Agbo
The Chairman of South East Governors Forum and the Governor of Ebonyi State Engr. David Umahi has condemned in a strong term the unwarranted killings of innocent citizens, police officers and burning of police stations in the South East geopolitical zone of the country and charged herdsmen to stay out from Ebonyi now, following the communal clashes ravaging the state until peace returns.
Umahi made the condemnation while briefing journalists after an enlarged security meeting involving security chiefs, Local government chairmen, traditional rulers and top government functionaries at Exco chamber, old Government House, Abakaliki.
Governor Umahi who decried the act noted that the actions have been carried out by banditry and criminals in the zone.
According to Umahi South East should rise and condemn creation of another monsters, and also enjoined the leaders of the zone to speak out to ensure that the security of lives and properties standstill.
He directed police to demoralize anybody attempts to kill them or burn their stations.
“If you see any body that want to kill you, demoralize the person that is the rule of engagement”
“You should not fold your hands for those hoodlums to kill you or burn your facilities,” he said.
The governor hinted that there is no herdsmen in Ebonyi state as at now.
“We didn’t ask them to leave but they left, on their own there were privy on the attacks in the state”
“We have been talking to their leaders to please beg them, no state governor has control of banditry because the defenseless killings in Ebonyi have made them to leave for their safety. Please let them not return back for now, there is still very high tension under those who pretentiously speak that they are protecting our people”
“We have send message to myetti Alah, Ebonyi state is under high tension because of killings and we would want them to stay out until such a time they would be saved”
“On open grazing, we directed vigilantes to enforce open grazing law in the state and we want local government chairmen to assist in the enforcement of the open grazing”
“We will confront any herdsmen with AK47, if you are herdsmen and you are coming to Ebonyi we will confront you and treated you the same way you were bringing to Ebonyi state,” he said.
Umahi frowned over the renewed crisis which led to the death of two persons at Iyionu community in Ishielu Local government area, stating that Reverend Father Abraham Nwali has waded into the matter following the directive of the catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese Bishop Michael Nnachi Okoro; adding that the people have agreed to make peace in the area.
He further directed the immediate arrest and prosecution of the councilor from the area who was allegedly took an investor to the disputed land resulting killing of two persons.
He had earlier, declared Ambassador Oluchukwu Paschal wanted for an alleged wicked publications on Daily Sun Newspapers against security agencies and Ebonyi state government which triggered fresh killings in Effium warring community.
He therefore, charged security agents to do all within their powers to arrest those who are hellbent in circulating fake news on social media, adding that the state government is determined to send the people of Ezza and Ezza Effium back to their areas by next two weeks following peace gradually returning the crisis zone.
