Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has ordered the arrest of the traditional ruler of Umuogodoakpu-Ngbo community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area and his counterpart in Ohankwu community in Ikwo Local Government Area of the state, over a missing naval officer and the killing of a 70-year-old woman, in both communities respectively.
Umahi also ordered the arrest of coordinators of Ohaukwu West, Barr. Stephen Igwe Ogenyi, and Ikwo East Development Centre, Mr. Ekuma Emmanuel, in Ohaukwu and Ikwo area of the state, respectively, following the two incidents.
The governor also ordered the suspension of Technical Assistants, Senior Technical Assistants, Executive Assistants, Liaison Officers, Management Committee Members, and other appointees from both communities.
He gave the orders during a statewide broadcast on Saturday, at Abakaliki.
A month ago, a naval officer reportedly got missing at Eguorie village, Umuogodoakpu-Ngbo community, in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state.
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A 70-year-old woman from Amana community, in the Ezza South Local Government Area of the state, was allegedly killed by assailants working for Ohankwu people in Ikwo Local Government Area.
Both communities had been enmeshed in a conflict over a mining site in a boundary between them, which had led to killings and destruction of property.
According to Umahi, if by Tuesday, April 14, 2020, the monarchs failed to provide information on the identities of perpetrators of the incidents that led to the missing of the naval officer and killing of the woman, they would be dethroned.
“I have said it and I’m saying it now, I direct that the TAs, STAs, ECs and all other appointees from these communities be suspended.
“I also direct the arrest of the traditional rulers of both communities. They should be arrested and if by Tuesday, they don’t provide information on the identities of the perpetrators, they will be dethroned. This is very bad and, the time you commit crime in this state and you go unpunished, is over,” Umahi said.
He warned that gone were the days in Ebonyi State, when people committed crime and went scot-free.
Umahi also terminated the partial lifting of ban on religious activities in the state, effective from Sunday, April 12, 2020.
The state government had on Wednesday announced partial lifting of ban on religious activities, and burials in the state.
