Ebonyi stakeholders, Thursday, reiterated their resolve to confront maximally any act of attack or banditry in any part of Ebonyi state, even as they hinted that the threat to unleash more mayhem by herdsmen and agitators in the state is well noted.
They urged youths of the state to rise against all forms of attacks in the state, stating that it is a deliberate attempt by enemies of the state to derail the laudable and enviable progress so far made in the state.
They disclosed this in a communique raised after Ebonyi state expanded security/stakeholders meeting, held on June 10, 2021 at the Ecumenical center, Abakaliki.
They passed vote of confidence on the governor of Ebonyi state, David Nweze Umahi, for his commitment towards ending insecurity and communal clashes in the state.
The stakeholders condemned the violent attacks and wanton destruction of lives and properties in Ebonyi state, orchestrated by criminal elements and armed herdsmen.
“In furtherance of the security arrangements of the State Government, a security committee shall be set up in each ward and Local Government Area and members shall meet at least every month to review security situations and make returns on the security situations in their respective domains to the State Government.
“The Council Chairmen have been charged to liaise accordingly with the stakeholders and immediately set up security Committees in their respective Local Government Areas, who shall be interfacing with stakeholders on the security challenges in their communities.
“The stakeholders and leaders of the various communities have been challenged to take full responsibility in preventing their youths from getting involved in violent attacks, armed banditry, destruction of public facilities and killing of security officials and other innocent citizens in the name of agitation.
“That leaders in all fields of life must know that the youths are the leaders of tomorrow and must therefore show concern by getting involved in value re-orientation and empowerment of our youths.
“Our youths should take the mantle of leadership positively and lead the campaign against communal clashes and banditry as economic sabotage to the future of the state.
“We appeal to the youths to leverage on the empowerment programmes and job opportunities being created by the state government to get into a dignifying means of livelihood to secure their future.
“We reiterate the commitment of the people of Ebonyi State to one indivisible, virile and egalitarian Nigeria, where there is love, peace, equity, equality, equal opportunities, justice and fairness in the national socio-economic and political equation, and that the leaders are ready to aggregate all agitation issues and engage Federal Government to address such issues,
“All stakeholders across political divide shall be meeting from time to time to review the security situation in the state and shall together as a people fight the battle against insecurity and communal clashes in the state” they added.