Ebonyi State government has exonerated the Ebubeagu security operatives of any involvement in the attack on governoship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Prof Benard Odoh on thursday night at Okpoto in ishielu local Government council while returning from campaign rally.
The state Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Barr Uchenna Orji and the State Consultant on Security, Chief Stanley Emegha in a joint press briefing regretted the attack but insisted that operatives of Ebubeagu were not involved in the attack.
They described those linking Ebubeagu to the act as ill-informed and enemy of the people.
Emegha explained that the formation of Ebubeagu, translated from the neighbourhood watch to Ebubeagu and government is paying heavily on its complimentary role to the security agencies.
According to him, the Ebubeagu operatives have limits to what they can do as contained in the law establishing the outfit and there are certain levels where they will alert the police for intervention.
Emegha regretted the blame game going on in the state instead of all the stakeholders to come together to proffer solutions to the crisis.
He however, condemned in strong terms the alleged attack on the Convoy Professor Benard Odo by mindless armed men, urging everyone to be security concious and give vital information to the security agencies to enable them serve the people better as security is a collective tasks of all.
Emegha noted that the Government of Engr Chief David Nweze Umahi placed high premium on the security of lives and property of the people hence, his huge investment in the security sector of the state.
He emphasized that Ebubeagu as a responsible and law abiding outfit cannot attack Ebonyi citizen it ought to be protected despite any level of provocation. He urged the general public to go about their lawful business and discountenance such wicked rumour as it is intent was to cause panic among the populace, assuring that the security agencies are working round the clock to unmask the identity of the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
On his part, the state commissioner for information, Barr Uchenna Orji who described the allegation as false, malicious and mischievous saying those behind it are only out to tarnish the good image of the administration of Engnr David Umahi in the state.
He said: "Gentlemen of the Press, I thank you for giving us the opportunity to address the trending allegation from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). That allegation is credited to one Nwanchor Chibuike Nwanchor who is said to be the Publicity Secretary of APGA, Ebonyi State".
"I won't bore you with the details but to the extent that they mentioned Ebonyi State government and its security agency, Ebubeagu, I have to say that the allegation such as it is, is tantamount to absolute fabrication and irresponsible without foundation and cleverly woven in their political material time to dent the image of a renowned and progressive administration of His Excellency, Engr. Chief David Umahi"
"So, we are not surprised about the allegation of APGA that their governorship candidate was attacked".
"Let's challenge them to bring evidence of any Ebubeagu attacking any person, let alone the convoy of the governorship candidate of APGA, let them come up with any empirical evidence showing the identify or even anything closer to the identity of the people that attacked them, the location and all the circumstances. And again, being a criminal matter, we also want to challenge them to please ensure they get the necessary authorities to know if they have persons they are suspecting, they must be bold and courageous to mention them. So, we challenge him to bring up any evidence against Ebubeagu". He stated.
Recall that the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA had in a Press statement issued by its spokesperson, Mr. Nwanchor Chibueke accused the Ebubeagu security operatives of masterminded the attack and called for the immediate disbandment of the security outfit.
“The All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA) in Ebonyi State has received with dismay, the unwarranted suspected Ebubeagu militia Ambushed attack on its guber candidate.
“Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh was attacked where one of his drivers was killed, five missing and two others sustained various degrees of injuries.
“This happened near Rest House, Okpoto, Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
“This is among several attempts of the ruling APC government to suppress Ebonyi APGA, whose message has penetrated every nook and cranny in Ebonyi State.
“Recall that Ebonyi APC masterminded the beating of APGA supporters in Afikpo North, Ugwulangwu in Ohaozara LGA, and the destruction of vehicles during the APGA campaign at Izzi LGA sometimes last year.
” In the face of such a sordid act, they persisted in laying ambush, fired to kill the Guber Candidate, but succeeded in killing the driver, while others sustained various degrees of injuries.
“It is now clear to everyone that APC in the state plans to use Ebebuagu militia to intimidate and destabilize the peaceful conduct of the election starting on the 25th of February 2023”. he said.
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