Ebonyi Crisis: Umahi Suspends Effuim Political Appointees
By Joyce Aroh
Following the bloody clash that claimed many lives and properties worth millions of naira destroyed, Governor David Umahi has suspended all his political appointees from Effium Community in Ohaukwu Local Government area Ebonyi state
The crisis, was as a result of clashes between to factions of National Union of Road Transport Workers, Effium Branch.
Governor Umahi, who disclosed at the State security council meeting held at Effium community on Monday, stated that all the political appointees and stakeholders in police custody would remain in detention until peace returned in the area.
“All political appointments in these five wards are hereby suspended. I have no power to suspend elected people, but the House of Assembly does have and I’m going to report to them and they are going to take a decision on that.”
Umahi further stated that any of them found to have hand in the crisis at Effuim would be tried for murder and arson.
“I hereby directed State the Attorney general and commissioner for Justice, Barr Cletus Ofoke, to procure court order that “for anybody to be released from detention under whatever condition, I have to authorize it.”
“The political appointees will remain in the detention whether they are directly involved until absolute peace returns and anybody connected will be charged for murder; so you will not see them quickly.
“The women will be the one to report to me. The women will come in their numbers, equal number from Effium and Ezza-Effium will come and report and say, there is peace.
“But any political appointee or elected that got involved. I’m screening their phones. I have asked Network providers to give me their conversions and any of them that is involved will go to prison and will be charged for murder and arson.”
Governor Umahi charged the security agents to shoot on sight any person found to be using firearm to kill defenseless persons and destroy properties in the community.
“I want to be quoted anywhere: to the security agencies, if you see that person with gun, or exchanging guns with security agencies or trying to kill defenseless mothers, fathers and children, that person should not live. The rule of engagement is that if you see anybody trying to committee ordinary arson, you have to demobilize him.” Umahi said.
