OBINNA OGBONNAYA
Abakaliki
Ebonyi State Government has directed the 13 local government Chairmen in the State to immediately form local vigilente and put cross bars at strategic locations to fish out criminal elements and assist security agents in the LGAs.
Briefing Journalists shortly after the State Executive Council meeting in Abakaliki, the State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Barr. Uchenna Orji said that EXCO also directed that 100 Neighborhood Watch in each local government be deployed to effectively police the various communities.
Barr. Orji stated that the vigilente group would not carry arms adding that the job of the vigilente would be more of intelligence and to assist the police in carrying out their duties.
According to the Commissioner; “EXCO frowned very seriously at the killings at Egedegede Community in Ishielu Local Government Area. The Governor had visited the scene yesterday and demanded justice for the victims from the Security Agencies”.
“The Local Government Area Chairmen were directed to form local vigilante and put cross bars at strategic locations. EXCO directed that 100 Neighbourhood Watch per LGA be deployed to effectively police our various communities”.
On Effuim/Ezza Effuim crisis, Barr. Orji said that EXCO looked into the report on Effium/Ezza Effium and commended the efforts of Government.
According to him; “EXCO commeded the State Government for the establishment of additional 2 Mobile Police units in the communities and Providing additional 600 Soldiers to the affected community.
“EXCO considered a report on the activities of the Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area and all elected/appointed officials from the Area. EXCO frowned at the actions and inactions of the elected and appointed public office holders which were responsible for the crisis in the area”.
Barr. Orji said that the State Executive also recommended to Ebonyi State House of Assembly that all elected/appointed officials from Effium and Ezza Effium including the Councilors, the Council Chairman and the EBHA Member be suspended from office.
The Commissioner for Information and State Orientation said that EXCO approved the sum of Eight Hundred and Forty Three Million (N843M) Naira for the first Phase of earth work and concreting of a section of the Airport taxi way (1.3Km section) adding that another approval of the sum of sum of One Hundred and Seventeen Million (N117M) was also made for the Internal Partitioning at International Market. Ends.