The Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi, has condemned the torture and death of one Anyim Nnaogo at Akaeze community, in Ivo local government area of Ebonyi State by members of the Ebubeagu Security outfit.
Umahi, also condemned the razing of houses, fuel station, buses belonging to the Ivo council chairman Ogbadu Onyebuchi and other stakeholders of the community, worth millions of naira by the angry youths.
The governor, who was visibly angry during an on-the-spot visit to Akaeze community to monitor the level of destruction by youths, ordered that anyone involved in the incident must be brought to book.
His Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Francis Nwaze in a release quoted the governor as saying; “I feel so sad over the couple of incidences that happened in this place. In the first place, I condemn the viral video that was making the rounds where somebody was using an axe on a fellow human being, my position is that life is sacred and all those people that did that, whether they are in Government, whether they are Ebubeagu, whether they are stakeholders must be prosecuted immediately.
“There is no reason in this matter that should warrant anybody to take law into their hands, at the end of time we are going to be accountable to God.
“It is important to note that Ebubeagu is a security outfit backed by law and it will not be disbanded but any Ebubeagu member that violates the law will go in for it.
“The law on Ebubeagu is very clear, just like there are bad elements in other security forces and within the society, there may be bad eggs in Ebubeagu but my position is that the bad eggs in Ebubeagu must be identified and removed. Ebubeagu is doing very beautiful work, they are helping the police, they are helping the Army, but we have a procedure, when you have the right within the limit of the law to arrest people, you have to hand them over to the Police immediately and it stops there, you are not even permitted to torture them not to talk of killing them but you have the right of self-defense and the evidence must be there and overwhelmingly and so what happened here did not make me happy.
“Two wrongs must never make a right, the seven people that masterminded this must be arrested and prosecuted, I am not the Governor of one Party, I am the Governor of all parties, and most importantly I am accountable to God.”
Umahi, also directed the demobilization of all gun-carrying non-security persons in the area, even as he called for a step-up in security presence and surveillance to avert reoccurrence.
He called on Ebonyi Youths to shun involvement in criminalities and embrace peace for orderliness in the society.
“Let me warn all the youths to be very careful about taking laws into their hands, if they commit a murder case and it is before me, I will sign their execution.”
The Officer-in-charge of Akaeze Police Station, ASP John Okereke while narrating the event of the burning down of the Police Station, said some of the perpetrators are hardened criminals who already had cases in the Station.
Meanwhile, houses, cars, filling station and other valuables were razed by angry youths at Akaeze community, Ivo local government area of Ebonyi State, over the alleged torture, leading to the death of one Nnaogo Akpoke Anyim, a generator mechanic in the area.
Anyim, was said to have been brutally tortured by the Operatives of Ebubeagu, Ivo outfit who apprehended him over alleged theft.
It was reported that the victim later died in an undisclosed hospital in the area, following the torture.
Saddened by the development, Akaeze youths, both men and women on Sunday went on rampage setting ablaze properties belonging to men of Ebubeagu, including those belonging to the local government chairman of the council, Chief Onyebuchi Ogbadu.
They were chanting “end Ebubeagu now, they are killing us”.
Also, court and police post in the community was razed by the angry mob. It was alleged that about four persons were killed during the violent protest.