Gov Umahi Launches New Security Outfit, Declares War Against Cultists

Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi has said his government will embark on a massive war against cultists in the state from August this year.

Umahi made the pledge on Tuesday in the state capital, Abakaliki on the occasion of the launch of the state’s new security outfit, branded ‘Neigbourhood Watch’,

He said that the new security outfit will enable them flush out all the cultists in the state, adding that no cult member will be spared whether they are found in the government or private sectors of the state.

He said, “We have compiled the names of individuals in the state’s governance who have decided to remain cultists, including those in the House of Assembly and other places.

“We would identify, publicly disgrace and prosecute them as I am constructing new prison buildings to give those of high calibre decent accommodation”.

Umahi urged the new officials not to be seen in public beer parlours and joints drinking beer.
“You should go to your house to drink if you wish to do so and if you take the job seriously, the state government would take you seriously and enhance your welfare,” he stated.

Umahi continued, “When you blow the whistle and it did not catch anything, we would catch you as you should then be sure that the whistle would catch something when blown.

“The state Attorney General should infuse one in the miscellaneous offences law if it is non-existent because the neighbourhood watch position should not be used to intimidate anybody.

“The position should not be used as a political tool to intimidate or victimise people or trample on their rights, especially widows,” he said.

The Senior Special Adviser on Internal Security to the governor, Dr Kenneth Ugballah showered praises on the governor and appreciated him for the initiative.

“We selected, screened and trained the security outfit’s members in collaboration with relevant security agencies in the state, to ensure optimum service delivery.

“We promise to operate within the ambit of the law and contribute our quota to ensuring that crime is reduced to the barest minimum in the state,” Ugballa said.