Following the incessant attacks on Police and innocent citizens by unknown gun men, the Ebonyi State Government has directed security operatives to defend themselves and citizens from the attackers.
The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kenneth Ugbala stated this while addressing journalists on the outcome of the State Expanded Security Council meeting in Abakaliki the State capital.
He said Police or any security operatives should not allow themselves to be killed or injured by hoodlums.
“Police should not see themselves as defeated members of the society but should ensure they stick to the training and oath of office”
“Any Police station or Division that allows it’s properties to be destroyed by hoodlums or armed men, Ebonyi State Government will not have any other option than to allow such Division or Area Command to be closed down and Officers in such Stations would be made to face disciplinary action”. Ugbala explained.
Dr Ugbala said every Police station should clear bushes 200 radius away from the Division.
“A situation where a Division or Area Command should allow it surroundings to be overgrown by bushes, such areas are prone to criminal hideout”. Ugbala said.
He asked them to disarm anybody coming closer to them which they know he or she is not licensed to carry arms.
On Vigilantes
The State Government has directed that every Community in the State should have at least five vigilantes that will give the total number of 700 vigilantes in the 13 Local Government Areas of the State.
Also, the State Commissioner for Internal Security, Mr Stanley Okoroemegha said the State Government had equally directed him to inspect all the Police Stations, Divisions and Area Commands to know the area where state Government will come in to assist them.
“At least each Police Division will be given 10 Solar lights, Closed Circuit Television CCTV will be installed in the State, more especially at Police headquarters, office of Internally Security and Military Cantonment Nkwegu”
“We are to renovate all their buildings and also to fence all their properties”. Okoroemegha said.
Okoroemegha added that in two weeks to come, Ebonyi State Government will give Police 30 Hilux Vans and 80 Siena mini Bus to the new security outfit in the State.
He said all the Police Stations, Divisions and Area Commands that do not have steady water supply like borehole will get it now.
Dominica Nwabufo
