The Government of Ebonyi State has formally launched its chapter of the Ebube Agu Security outfit of the South-East Governors’ Forum.
According to reports, the unveiling was done at a colourful ceremony which was held at Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium in Abakaliki.
At the unveiling, Governor Umahi noted that the security Outfit was formed following a call by individuals of the zone for a security Outfit that will help the police and other security agencies in battling crime across the area.
According to him, although the outfit has been structured under a state commander, it will in any case be under the management and control of the Ebonyi State Police Command.
Going further, the governor cautioned individuals from the outfit against participating in superiority battles with the police, adding that any individual who fights with the police in the cause of duty will be sacked.
Reacting to the calls for disbanding of the outfit by the opposition leaders in the state, Governor Umahi mollified fears that the outfit was dispatched for the reasons for assaulting and scaring individuals from the opposition ahead of the 2023 general election in the state.
He clarified that the outfit, in accordance with the law that set up it, will work in collaboration with the police and other security agencies in the state to battle crimes in the state.
The governor urged those opposed to the operation of the outfit in the state to go to court to challenge its legitimateness, adding that the outfit has come to stay in the state.
Governor Umahi also commended members of the Ebube Agu security for their excellent performance so far in Ebonyi state.
He charged the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Cletus Ofoke, to see that the law is amended to promotions, welfare packages, and pensions for its members.
In his words;
“Let me say that what we have here is very lawful and will continue to be for the benefit of our people. Let me Commend the handlers, what I saw today is very very encouraging. And let me thank in a very special way the Commissioner of Police and all his officers for the efforts they have made towards our security architecture in Ebonyi State.
I am moved to challenge the Attorney General and the handlers to expand the law to include their promotion of the men, to include a greater measure for their welfare, dedication, and excellent performance, to make this an employment opportunity for our people and to make it pensionable. Everybody will die one day so nobody is afraid of speaking about death.
But in the unlikely event of anyone being killed in active service, we will make a provision to assist the families, and for the burial. In 2022 will make this outfit the envy of all the people seeking employment. We will pay you what a graduate in grade level 12 cannot get.
Let me say that section 7(7) of the law says that the function of Ebube Agu is to assist the police and other security agencies in carrying out any lawful activity that will assist in maintaining law and order in the state.
So this outfit is not alternate police, but this is an outfit that is totally under the tutelage, supervision, and monitoring of the police. There shall be no altercation or superiority fights as you are under the police force.
Anybody who doesn’t like it and wishes to do otherwise can bow out because this is what our law says. You will not fight the police or disagree with the police. You will obey all lawful orders of the Commissioner of Police in the state.
‘Let me also say that the outfit is not politically motivated, but those who have been sponsoring insecurity in the state, and who are afraid of the outfit, can go to court to challenge the law as this outfit will never be disbanded.”
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