DO NOT RETURN TO EBONYI NOW, GOV UMAHI WARNS HERDSMEN

Reporter : AMECHI ODO

Ebonyi State Government has called on the leadership of Miyetti Allah to prevail on herders under its control not to return to the state to avert violent confrontation over last month’s deadly herders’ attack in the state.

Governor David Umahi announced this while briefing journalists on the outcome of an enlarged Security meeting at Government House Abakaliki.

Governor Umahi said though all herdsmen residing in the state had left following the killings that occurred in Ishielu Local Government Area, tension generated by the incident was still high to guarantee the safety of their return.

He noted that the state government had directed the people of Ebonyi State to resist any herder who would in future come into the state with AK 47 rifles, noting that the directive was in line with the orders of the Federal Government.

Governor Umahi however condemned the killing of Policemen and burning of Police Stations in the zone and urged South East Leaders to rise and condemn such attacks as Governors were not in control of hoodlums.

He expressed worry over fresh killings in Effium and Ezza Effium communities and blamed the development on an allegation against security agencies published by one Ambassador Pascal Oluchukwu.

He noted that the state government would request from the concerned national daily to reveal the identity of the man or he would be charged for murder.

Governor Umahi added that the state government had ordered the arrest of a councillor in Ezilo in Ishielu Local Government Area for provoking armed confrontation over land dispute between the people of Ezilo and Iyionu communities, which claimed two lives.