Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has expressed worry over renewed insecurity problems that erupted in some communities of the state in recent times, insisting that he cut short his foreign investment trip to find lasting solutions to the crisis.
Governor Umahi has also threatened to sack the chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area, Barr. Timothy Odah, and other political office holders of the area, over the escalating boundary crisis that erupted between the Ohaukwu people and their Agila neighbors in Benue State that resulted to loss of lives and destruction of property worth millions of naira
Umahi made the assertion at the Executive Council Chambers, in Abakaliki, the state capital, on Tuesday, while addressing stakeholders, opinion leaders and political office holders, representatives of security agencies during a meeting he convened for parties to brainstorm on renewed crisis in the State.
He decried the resurgence of insecurity and killings in some Local Governments namely Ohaukwu, Ikwo, Abakaliki, Onicha, and Afikpo North respectively resulting to loss of lives and destruction of property.
According to him, “three people were killed at Nwida Market in Abakaliki Local Government Area, two people murdered at Onicha Igboeze, seven persons killed at Ikwo council, the President of a Community killed at Amasiri in Afikpo North Local Government Area.”
He directed that the Chairman of Ohaukwu Council and other political office holders in the area to sign undertaking to forestall any further hostilities between them and their Benue neighbors.
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According to him,”Chairman of Ohaukwu local Government Barr Odah, Mr Frederick Onwe a staff of the State local Government Service Commission, Mr Peter Okorie, Mrs Margareth Ominyi and Mr James Onah are to sign undertaking to forestall further hostilities”
“The above should sign undertaking in the office of the Deputy Governor, if there is any aggression in the area again the political leaders should resign, If I suspend you, you go to court.
“If the Chairman of Ohaukwu local Government is not capable of protecting lives and property, if you are elected in error and you do not know the rules and responsibility of your office, you should resign”
“We are placing the security of Ohaukwu local Government in the hands of the aforementioned people, if there is any further aggression in Agila , the Council Chairman and others concerned will present yourselves for prosecution”
The State Chief Executive equally dissolved the two security Committees in Ohaukwu local Government Area over alleged incompetence and reiterated that a new security committee would be inaugurated in due course to ensure that peace and security is maintained.