Ebonyi Indigenes In Lagos Join Governor Umahi To Condemn Killings, Sue For Peace In Their State

By Frank Oshanugor

Indigenes of Ebonyi State residing in Lagos have aligned with Governor David Nweze Umahi in strongly condemning the recent senseless killings in the State.

In a statement made available to AtlanticNewsonline on Tuesday, the President, Development Association of Ebonyi State in Lagos; Mayor (Dr) Felix Amah Nnachi said the recent incident and many more killings in the State “were quite distasteful, barbaric, despicable and highly condemnable.”

According to the Association, “we cannot be settling political scores with the sacred life of the citizens we superintendent. Time has come for political office holders to have a re-think on the real meaning of governance which, if well understood will bring an enduring peace.

“We urge our dear Governor to take sincere steps in ensuring that peace returns to Ebonyi State. Those fanning the ambers of violence whether in Government or outside of it, must realise that power is transient and at the end of the day, the people’s justice shall prevail.”

The Association added that “there is always repercussion for any innocent blood shed by any human being. Enough of these negative and callous acts of murder, manslaughter, maiming, arson, rituals, cultism and other evils being perpetrated in our State in the name of politics.”

A press statement on Monday, issued by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media & Publicity, Mr. Francis Nwaze, has quoted Governor Umahi, as condemning the recent hostility in Akaeze, Ivo Local Government Area which has led to loss of lives.

The Governor reportedly made the condemnation when he paid an on-the-spot visit to Akaeze to assess the level of carnage as a result of the violence on Monday.

Governor Umahi frowned at the needless burning of the Akaeze Police Station and property of the Chairman of Ivo Local Government Area as well as a Development Centre Coordinator by the irate youths.

He has directed the prompt arrest of those involved in the dastardly act captured in the video which has been circulating on the social media where axe-wielding persons were seen using the weapon on a human being.

“I feel so sad over the couple of incidences that happened in this place. In the first place, I condemn the viral video that was making round where somebody was using an axe on a fellow human being. My position is that life is sacred and all those people that did that, whether they are in Government, whether they are Ebubeagu, whether they are stakeholders must be prosecuted immediately, Umahi was quoted as saying.

“There is no reason in this matter that should warrant anybody to take law into his hands. At the end of time we are going to be accountable to God.

“It is important to note that Ebubeagu is a security outfit backed by law and it will not be disbanded but any Ebubeagu member that violates the law will go in for it.

“The law on Ebubeagu is very clear, just like there are bad elements in other security forces and within the society, there may be bad eggs in Ebubeagu but my position is that the bad eggs in Ebubeagu must be identified and removed. Ebubeagu is doing very beautiful work, they are helping the police, they are helping the Army, but we have a procedure, when you have the right within the limit of the law to arrest people, you have to hand them over to the Police immediately and it stops there. You are not even permitted to torture them, not to talk of killing them but you have the right of self-defense and the evidence must be there and overwhelming. So what happened here did not make me happy.

“Two wrongs must never make a right, the seven people that masterminded this must be arrested and prosecuted, I am not the Governor of one Party, I am the Governor of all parties, and most importantly I am accountable to God.”

While directing the demobilization of all gun-carrying non-security persons in the area, Governor Umahi also called for a step-up in security presence and surveillance to avert reoccurrence.

He called on Ebonyi Youths to shun involvement in criminalities and embrace peace for orderliness in the society.

“Let me warn all the youth to be very careful about taking laws into their hands, if they commit a murder case and it is before me, I will sign their execution.”

The Officer-in-charge of Akaeze Police Station, ASP John Okereke while narrating the event of the burning down of the Police Station, said some of the perpetrators were heart-hardened criminals who already had cases in the Station.