Umahi revokes bail for Ebonyi warring communities

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, yesterday, directed that the bail granted to some persons in Ohaukwu Local Government Area be revoked following renewed hostilities between Effium/Ezza Effium communities.

He said the move became necessary since efforts by the government to stop the killing of innocent people in the area were being undermined.

In a statement signed by Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Uchenna Orji, the governor directed the Commissioner of Police to immediately arrest, detain and prosecute all persons that had earlier been granted bail in the area.

Umahi said the state government is determined to do everything within its powers to bring lasting peace to the communities. According to him, the affected people are one community and the government has no plans to separate them.

He warned that SMS messages aimed at instigating crisis were being monitored, stressing that culprits would face the long arm of the law.

Also, Umahi thanked the people of Izzi and Ikwo communities for the maturity they exhibited following the abduction of Enyigba children in Abakaliki Local Government Area.

The governor had earlier given a seven-day ultimatum to the people of Enyibichiri community to produce the culprits.

He said the alleged kingpin and some of his gang members have been apprehended by the police. He added that the state has dispatched operatives to the boundary with Cameroon to fish out the remaining culprits.