Gov Umahi warns security agents over closure of Ebonyi borders

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi on Tuesday accused security agents posted to the state’s border of aiding people to come into the state despite the closure of the borders.

The governor, who stated this during a state broadcast, said government will hold them responsible if anything goes wrong with the fight against the spread of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

He said: “We have reports that security personnel posted to the boundaries were compromising and assisting people, who want to come into the state, to have their way despite our warnings. I will not hesitate to hold them responsible should anything go wrong.

Read also: Ekiti’s only COVID-19 patient recovers, discharged after 13 days treatment

“Any policeman or soldier, who is not on essential duty and wants to come into the state, will be arrested. The directive does not exempt anyone. Anyone, who is not on essential duty and comes into the state, will be arrested and prosecuted.”

Umahi also gave a marching order to the Chairman of the Ivo Local Government Area, Mr Ogbonnaya Ude, and the leadership of the Miyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in the state to ensure the immediate release of two Chinese men kidnapped in the council area by gunmen on Monday.

“On Monday, I received a security report that the two Chinese were kidnapped following the withdrawal of their security personnel for the purpose of assisting in the boundary closure,” the governor said.

Regretting the incident, Umahi gave an assurance that security agencies were working round the clock to ensure the release of the expatriates and urged the residents to remain calm even in the midst of the crisis.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now