February 03, (THEWILL) – Senator Julius Ali Ucha, yesterday said Ebubeagu Security outfit has reduced armed robbery, kidnapping and banditry in the state and South East in general.
He said the aim of establishing the outfit in the region by south east Governors has been achieved with relative peace in the zone.
He noted that the outfit was legally established with the federal government and security chiefs properly consulted before the establishment.
Ucha, a former speaker of Ebonyi state House of Assembly who represented Ebonyi central at the senate between 2003 and 2011, dismissed the claim by PDP National Assembly members of the state extraction that it was being used by Governor Dave Umahi against his political opponents.
“Ebubeagu is a security outfit initiated by the five states in the South East geopolitical zone. Introduction of Ebubeagu was presented by the five South east governors to the Honourable Minister of Defence; Chief of Defence Staff and Honourable Minister Of Interior, and other Security Chiefs including the Police who gave their consent at Enugu State Government House when they visited South east to access the horrible security situation in the zone’ when police stations and headquarters were attacked, bumt and several policemen killed.
“It got to a point that Ebubeagu Security outfit were said to be protecting police formations in the zone. Since the introduction of Ebubeagu security outfit and other vigilante groups in the zone, banditry, armed robbery and kidnapping have reasonably reduced. It is also not known in Ebonyi state that Ebubeagu security outfit has been used to harass, intimidate, molest or embarrass any member of the opposition group. It is common knowledge that there is no human endeavor that has ever been perfect but it is not impossible that some mischief makers may infiltrate a well intended initiative to derail it.
“However, an illogical generalization that every member of Ebubeagu security outfit is evil cannot suffix in the instant case. It is important to note that every security outfit in the country has its own challenges and such outfits also work hard to rid themselves of bad eggs. Therefore, If anybody in Ebonyi state has identified the bad eggs or any bad egg in Ebubeagu security outfit, the person is free to report such person or operative to the relevant security authorities so that such operative will face the full wrath of the law, instead of throwing the child away with the bath water.
“It is important to mention that Ebonyi state is one State that business and human activities have been moving On smoothly on daily basis. Therefore, I strongly believe that the fear by some politicians that Ebubeagu security outfit are willing political tools during election is imaginary. With greatest respect to our representatives in the House of Representatives, I believe that if His Excellency, the Governor was still to be in the same Party with them, their position in this matter would have been different.
“On this note, I call on those who are expressing such fears to engage the state government on the operational modalities and rules of engagement of Ebubeagu as provided in the law that established it.
“I also call on the good people of Ebonyi state to cooperate and support all the efforts being made by the State government in addressing the security challenges in the state while I also urge operatives of Ebubeagu security outfit to continue to observe strictly the operational modalities and rules of engagement in order not to betray the confidence reposed in them,” he said.
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