Ebonyi Govt Sets Up Two New Vigilante Security Outfits

By Celestine Okeh, Abakaliki

In total compliance to the Federal High Court judgement, Ebonyi State Governor, Engr David Umahi on Friday, announced the suspension of operation of the south East Security Outfit,  'Ebubeagu' in the state. Stating that the suspension subsists until the recent court judgment against Ebubeagu is vacated.

Umahi made this known during an enlarged security meeting at the new EXCO Chambers, Ochudo Centenary City, Abakaliki, however, announced the formation of two new Vigilante outfits – Ebonyi Neighborhood Watch and Ebonyi Vigilante Corps to fill the vacuum that will be created by  the exit of Ebubeagu in the state.

Governor Umahi assured that Ebubeagu will only come back when as soon as the legal process and dispenced with.

“The Ebubeagu security outfit will not function in the state until the stay of execution is granted and appeal entered.

“This is in obedience to the rule of law; and whether it is good or bad for our people, it is the court’s judgement,” Umahi said.

The governor recalled that a judgement from a court of equal jurisdiction had a month ago, restrained anyone from disbanding the Ebubeagu security outfit.

“This means that I have two judgements on the same subject matter, as such the second one shouldn’t have been entertained due to an earlier decision on it.

“I could have chosen which one to obey if I were not a lover of the judiciary, but has chosen to obey the latter.

“When the stay of execution is granted, Ebubeagu will function again,” the governor said.

He thanked the state House of Assembly for passing into law, two sets of Vigilante outfits which processes commenced since 2021.

“These outfits include the Ebonyi neighborhood watch patterned after such in Anambra and the Ebonyi vigilante corps patterned after Amotekun in the south west geo-political zone.

“When Ebubeagu returns, they all should not infringe on the rights of the citizens.

“None of them would be involved in the forthcoming general election and the public must note this,” he said.

Umahi called on political parties in the state to carry out their activities with decorum and in line with the electoral law, deviod of any action capable of heating up the polity during and after the election .