By Godwin Okeh, Abakaliki Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state has tasked the commissioner of police and other security agencies to fish out criminals from Ebonyi communities.
He also tasked them to make Ebonyi a crime-free state ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
Umahi gave the charge through his Senior special assistant, Dr. Kenneth Ugbala who briefed journalists in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi state.
He also stated the readiness of the governor to sack any neighborhood watch member that do not take his/her security services serious, especially as the forthcoming general election approaches.
“The governor is tackling issues of kidnapping, armed robbery, child trafficking and other social vices that are coming up gradually in the state.
“And on the side of kidnapping and armed robbery, the state government resolved that the office of the commissioner of police and other security chiefs must liase very seriously and have a joint security battle in all the communities in Ebonyi state.
“The essence of it is to make sure that all criminal elements in our localities are fished out and be treated in line with the law.
“The governor directed that it is now a law that a joint patrol term must be carried out two times in a month, which is aimed at brining a signage between all security agencies to combat crime in the state.
“The governor equally charged neighborhood members in Ebonyi state to take their works very seriously and directed that any neighborhood watch that is found wanting should be shown the way out of service.
“The essence of bringing them on board is to partner with security agencies and provide them with adequate information that will help make Ebonyi a crime free state in Nigeria.
“Umahi further directed that vigilante groups in our local areas should be converted at least ten to make up the initial 20 members of neighbourhood watch, we wanted to have in each of the 13 local government areas of the state.
“The urban discos are equally beaf-up to make sure that there is no lapses in any part of Ebonyi state to ensure a crime free society” he stated.
