Umahi Officially Disbands Ebubeagu, Establishes New Security Outfits In Ebonyi

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has officially dissolved the South East regional security outfit, Ebubeagu.

Naija News recalls that the Federal High Court in Abakaliki had earlier ordered the disbandment of the South East Security outfit following reports accusing the group of human rights abuses, extortions, illegal arrest and use of firearms to cause unrest in the region.

Southeast governors had originally established the security unit to confront insecurity, especially vicious attacks by criminals suspected to be herders, forcing people to abandon their farms.

Acting on the court order given last Tuesday, Governor Umahi announced the disbandment of Ebubeagu on Friday evening.

The Governor equally expressed worries over the alleged threats issued by a separatist group led by Simon Ekpa to disrupt the 2023 election processes in the southeast geopolitical zone.

Addressing stakeholders and citizens of the state in a broadcast on Friday evening, Governor Umahi said: “We are aware of certain complaints regarding the security situation in our state and South East, which in the course of this address will be discussed. On the issue of the threat to disrupt elections in the south East and, by extension, in Ebonyi State, I want to appeal to our people to please listen to the voice of reason and disregard whatever announcement that is intended to disrupt elections in South East and other parts of the Country and in particular Ebonyi State. Our people must be very, very vigilant about this.”

Umahi charged traditional rulers and all stakeholders to return to their various communities and hold meetings to appeal to the people not to carry out such threats as security agencies would not fold their hands and allow elections in Ebonyi State and South East to be disrupted.

He added: “So, our appeal is to our brothers and sisters who are being used without knowing what they are fighting for to carry out such threats, threats of killings, threats of the burning of properties and other violent activities. Let me assure Ebonyi people and all those coming for this election that we will do everything within the law’s limit to protect their lives and that elections must hold as scheduled and very peacefully, too,” he said.

New Security Outfit

Governor Umahi, however, established two other security outfits, Ebonyi vigilante Corps and Neighborhood Watch Groups, to replace Ebubeagu and tasked them not to participate in the forthcoming general elections in the state.

“I have decided to obey the later judgment that says that Ebubeagu should not function, so for now, Ebubeagu should not function while we process the stay of execution and appeal entered at Enugu and Ebubeagu when granted will begin to function again,” he said.