Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State has said that the Ebubeagu security team will not be disbanded, despite the alleged involvement of some of its officials in extrajudicial killings.
Ebubeagu was created by the Ebonyi state government to complement the work of the police and other security agencies to control the rising crime rates in the state.
A violent protest recently broke out in a community in the state over the alleged torture and murder of a man by members of the security team.
Recently, an Ebubeagu official was beheaded, while another was killed and his remains set on fire.
“It is important to note that Ebubeagu is a law-backed security outfit and will not disband, but any Ebubeagu member who breaks the law will accept it,” Umahi said Monday when visiting the troubled Akaeze community in Ivo Local. Government Area.
“The law on Ebubeagu is very clear, just as there are bad elements in other security forces and within society, there may be bad eggs in Ebubeagu, but my position is that the rotten eggs in Ebubeagu must be identified and removed.”
Umahi said Ebubeagu is doing “beautiful” work, helping the police and military fight crime in the state.
He advised members of the security team to act within the limits of the law by quickly handing over suspected criminals to the police.
“They are not even allowed to torture them let alone kill them, but they have the right to self-defense and the evidence needs to be there and overwhelmingly so what happened here did not make me happy.
“Two wrongs should never become one right, the seven people who planned this should 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,” he said. Umahi. saying.
The governor ordered the demobilization of all non-security personnel carrying weapons in the area.
“Let me warn all young people to be very careful taking the laws into their hands, if they commit a murder case and it is before me, I will sign their execution,” he added.
The controversy surrounding Ebubeagu’s activities in Ebonyi has fueled the argument against agitation by state police in Nigeria.
(YAYA)