The Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi has announced the immediate suspension of all civil servants from Effium community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state over the lingering crisis.
It would be recalled that recently five construction workers in the area were abducted and suspected to have been killed by the warriors of the community.
Governor Umahi made the pronouncement in Abakaliki during a security summit on the security situation organised by the state’s founding fathers, Christian Association of Nigeria among others.
Gov Umahi alleged that the perpatrators of the killings and destruction in the area are funded from outside the state noted that, some stakeholders of the area within the state, also fund the communal war.
“The coordinators of the two development centres from the area are hereby removed from office while salaries of permanent secretries from the area are suspended.
He promised to approach the State House of Assembly for the way forward on the chairman of the council and the two house of Assembly members from the area.
The Governor noted that government cannot sit and watch the suspended civil servants and appointees receive salaries and goes ahead to use the same money to sponsor killings and destruction of the peopels properties.
“Recently, five construction workers on the state’s ring road which passes through the area were killed by unknown people and these workers who know nothing about the crisis were here to help the state.
He said that the suspects arrested over the incident confessed that the workers have been killed and buried and the government in pacifying the affected families, sought to know the location of where they were buried.
“The hoodlums ambushed the security team who went to the area and officers have been reported killed or missing.
Umahi then directed stakeholders from the area to handle the issue within seven days or attract severe actions from the federal government.
“My hands are tied on the matter as I swore to protect the lives and properties of the people.
Rev. Father Abraham Nwali, South East Zonal Chaiman of CAN urged stakeholders to work towards intake of hard drugs especially ‘mkprummiri’ among youths due to its negative effects on their actions. Ends. It
