Umahi Orders Shoot-at-sight on Bearers of Illegal Firearms in Ebonyi

Following the incessant attacks and violent activities in some parts of Ebonyi State, the state Governor, David Umahi, on Wednesday ordered security agencies in the state to shoot any person caught terrorising the state with illegal firearms.

Addressing victims of the pre-election violence in Agbaji in Izzi Local Government Area where two persons were said to have been killed and over 20 houses burnt, Umahi also directed security agencies to be ruthless to perpetrators of violence in the state.

Umahi advised youths to organise themselves and protect their mothers and young ones to avoid further attacks in the state.

The governor condemned the violence in Izzi, urging the youths of the area to be more united to resist any attack, and therefore charged them to deal mercilessly to anyone who terrorises the community.

The governor urged the state Commissioner of Police to withdraw all illegal police attachment to any politician in the state, stressing that if the attack continues, he would order the youths to beat up any politician seen going about with security guards.

He blamed the leaders of Izzi for being responsible for the violence in the community, warning also that if they don't curb the incessant attack in the area, he would turn and set the youths against them and their homes.

"I am the Chief Security Officer of Ebonyi State. I want to order security agencies to shoot at any person bearing illegal firearms which he is using to attack Ebonyi people. I want the Commissioner of Police to withdraw all illegal policemen attached to some politicians in the state. The leaders of Izzi clan are the ones causing the crisis. Youths of Izzi should unite and come together to protect their mothers, younger ones and themselves too.

"If you arrest any person with gun, break the person's hands, legs and tie him to the police station. I want the security agencies to be ruthless to any person who attacks innocent and law-abiding citizens in the state. If this attack continues, I will order the arrest of all the leaders of Izzi no matter the person or his relationship with the president,” Umahi warned.

A stakeholder of the area and Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, who noted that the place is his constituency, accused some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) playing anti-party activities to be responsible for the attacks.