Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi yesterday suspended operations of the South East Security Network, Ebubeagu, in the state and reintroduced the State Neighborhood Security Watch and Ebonyi State Security Corps to function in the state.
Umahi who made the declaration in a broadcast commended the House of Assembly for passing into law other two sets of vigilante outfits for the state.
The South East Governors’ Forum chairman said the process of bringing on board the two new outfits started in 2021 but that the Assembly graciously passed it into law a few days ago.
He said: “Let me say that we have had this Neighbourhood Watch even before now as far back as 2015 and they did tremendously very well so the law is back and they are empowered to function.
“Another vigilante group that has come into effect is the Ebonyi State Vigilante Corps, this will also function in the state and I am hereby inaugurating these new outfits officially today and by the laws of the state they are empowered to function.
“I have directed that Ebubeagu will not function in the state until the stay of execution is granted and appeal is entered, this is in obedience to the rule of law and respect for our judiciary.”
Governor Umahi expressed regret that Ebonyi State has the least number of police personnel and appealed to the Inspector General of Police to deploy more personnel to the state.
“I know the sacrifices that Ebubeagu personnel have made especially at nights, when we had frequent attacks of herders and farmers, this Ebubeagu worked day and night to curtail this, let us know that the killing of Ebubeagu or security personnel are condemnable,” he added.
On the threat to disrupt elections in the South East, Governor Umahi appealed to the people of the state to listen to the voice of reason and disregard any announcement intended to disrupt elections in the South East and other parts of the country.
He directed traditional rulers and all stakeholders to convene meetings in their villages to appeal to the people not to carry out such threats.
He maintained that security agencies would not fold their hands and allow elections in Ebonyi State and South East to be disrupted.
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