Insecurity has continued to assume a new dimension in Ebonyi state especially following an alleged recent order by one Simon Ekpa to IPOB members to enforce a sit-at-home order. AMARACHUKWU EGWUAGHA reports.
Ebonyi state has been adjudged one of the most peaceful states in the South-east. It is known to be among the states that do not observe the sit-at-home orders by IPOB. But the recent one-week order by one Simon Ekpa saw some gunmen trying to enforce the order in some areas of the state.
Activities of gunmen
Sometimes last week, some gun-wielding men in a Sienna bus stormed Ishieke market at Ebonyi local government area releasing gunshots to scare people away. That particular day was the market day and usually busy.
In this town, one of the campuses of the state university is situated here with lots of students hostels there.
On that fateful day, the gunmen shot sporadically to scare people into observing the order. A viral video showed how they shot at an Okada rider and destroyed some goods belonging to the traders.
They did not stop there but went to Ahiohu at Ezza North local government along the Enugu-Abakaliki expressway did the same thing. Both towns are very close to the capital city.
Also, these gunmen launched the same activity in Akaeze, Ivo local government of the state the same Tuesday with a particular message, ‘Destroy them, Destroy them all; Everybody must Sit at Home’, ‘No Nnamdi Kanu, No Peace’; ‘Nnamdi Kanu must be released’.
These three local government they visited signify the three senatorial zones in the state. Ivo LGA is in the South zone, Ezza Noth is in the Central and Ebonyi LGA is in the North zone.
The gunmen had in the early hours of Sunday last week attacked policemen at Ukwuagba, and burnt their patrol van.
In all these however, no one was killed.
Its effects on residents
The activities of these gunmen no doubt have put fear on the residents.
In an interaction, residents bore their minds.
Tricycle operators decry financial lost.
Chibuike Okereke said the action of gunmen at Ishieke market on that day affected the business.
“That faithful day was Ishieke market. These people scare everyone with their actions on a market day like that we are always sure of making from 5000 to 10,000 naira because people do come from towns and villages to buy goods. But with that action from gunmen, traders ran for their lives, even buyers. Yesterday, people hardly came out for fear of being killed by gunmen and you are seeing students on the road today because of their exams.”
Another resident, Chigbomkpa Alum said, “We heard that these gunmen would be coming back on Friday. People were scared to go out freely. You saw where I picked you from, how many passengers did you see on the road? This is terrible. The annoying thing is that our so-called political leaders who are supposed to talk on the issue of Nnamdi Kanu are selfish, they should know that these whole things are affecting.”
Madam Agnes a garri seller at Ishieke market said, “My daughter, I don’t know what these people want us to do. The other day, they came shooting; so we all ran for our lives. Do they want us to stay at home, how do we eat, how do I take care of my children? I am a widow, I take care of my home through this thing I’m doing here. Government should know what to do, Buhari has finished his tenure without releasing Kanu, Tinubu should please release him and let us have peace.”
Mr Chidi Raphael a civil servant said, “The incident on Tuesday puts fear in people and it affects their movement. Civil servants, businessmen, everybody is jittery, though security agencies are up and doing. Indeed, people are gradually going about their businesses but they live in fear.
“The activities of gunmen are not restricted to Ebonyi state, insecurity is everywhere in the country but with the latest developments, the South-east economy is being threatened.”
Mr Ogodo Jacob a civil servant said, “I think the recent case of insecurity has resurfaced again and has thrown the state into fear and apprehension. Many schools did not open today; many people did not go to work, some stores did not open and there is fear.
“In a situation where the police have become the target, burning their patrol vans, it means people are not comfortable. You know they relaxed after some time, but now that it has resurfaced, it is giving everybody concern. I think government should sit up, I don’t know why they should allow non-state actors to take over the state.
“After a peaceful election, the handover was peaceful and people relaxed and went about their normal businesses, but look at how it is now.
School children are at home and they are still threatening, how can that lead to the release of Nnamdi Kanu?
“Look at it, somebody said he is protecting you and asking you to sit at home, you won’t go to the farm, you won’t go to work, anywhere for one week, I think some people somewhere are sponsoring them. They have seen the feature, Igbo are enterprising and they want to frustrate us. Those people doing that are not from the South-east; their masters are somewhere sponsoring them.”
Peace returns in affected areas
Local government council chairmen especially the affected areas gave their accounts and expresses calmness in the areas.
Ivo local government chairman Mr Emmanuel Ajah said, “Ivo is peaceful, people are going about their businesses except for Akaeze where hoodlums tried to scare people to enforce sit-at-home order on Tuesday. One person was arrested in connection with that effect but normalcy has returned in the area.
On the kidnapping
The chairman of Ikwo LGA, Barr Sunday Nwankwo said, “We had a series of kidnapping issues before I came on board and people deserted that road but I tried all I could to see the people used that road day and night.
The incident that took place last two Sundays was along Mpu-Uburu road and such has never happened there before. I stood up to it determined to get to the root. With the efforts I put in place, we were able to rescue the wife of the murdered INEC staff. We apprehended nine persons and those still at largenine, we are confident that soon the law will catch up to them.
“The local government is calm, no issues or incidents. We are collaborating properly with the security agencies to ensure that there are no issues at the moment.
“My local government is cool no shoot-out. Ebonyi state has been lucky as we have not been observing sit-at-home order. The state government has continued to do its best in collaboration with the security agencies to ensure that the sit-at-home is not observed.
“I’m sure with a measure of consistency, they would achieve a high level of peace. Nothing beats negotiation; you cannot kill the same people you want to lead. The agitation can be achieved through dialogue so that all the aspects can be cleared.”
Ohaukwu LGA Chair, Prince Ikechukwu Odono said, “On Sunday morning we had an attack. The police on patrol at the stop-and-search were attacked. Immediately I got the call, we intervened with the security agents, DPO of Ohaukwu division was there with other policemen from the headquarters. We are doing everything to get the hoodlums arrested.
“Actually, we didn’t lose any life in that attack and even the one at Ishieke. They scared people away in other to obey the sit-at- home order which I believe our dear governor Ogbonna Nwifuru will not allow.
“The attack on policemen on Sunday was not related to any crisis at all; the crisis at Ukwuagba was between them and the Ezza’s and the Fulani herdsmen from Nassarawa state which have been resolved four months ago. The attack was purely done by unknown gunmen which came with an unknown number plate attached to a Sienna bus. Ngbo has been peaceful since Septembera that we took over leadership. With our approaches, even the cult crisis in the areas has stopped.
“The only area we are still having issues now is that of Effium and Ezza Effium but we are doing everything to stop the war and I believe that very soon we will achieve peace in the area. Currently, we are engaging with the youths to make them to have a rethink. We did the same in the Agila crisis and we achieved a good result.”
Onicha LG chairman Mr Chidiebere Uzochairman said, “Every security challenge in my local government has been taken care of and I urge everyone to go about their normal business and be rest-assured that there is no cause for alarm.”
From security stable
The commissioner for internal security Prince Etta Ude said the internal security department with security agencies are on their toes to ensure proper security of the state.
“We are seriously working as a team with security agencies to ensure calmness. We have begun what we call a show of force patrol among the agencies.
Even though these hoodlums went to some areas to scare people on Tuesday, every area in the state is calm. There are no casualties anywhere, peace has returned.
The Police Public Relations Officer Onome Onovwakpoyeya
could not be reached at the time of filing this report.