Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State on Thursday ordered the arrest of his Deputy Chief of Staff, Fidelis Okpata, and other a�?political office holders and stakeholdersa�? from the warring Ekpomaka and Inyimagu communities pending the amicable resolution of the violent crisis which erupted in the area two days ago.
Umahi gave the order at a meeting with security chiefs and residents from Ikwo and Abakaliki local government areas at the Executive Council Chambers, Abakaliki
According to agency report, the order was immediately carried out by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Titus Lamorde, who arrested Okpata and a few others.
The governora��s directive followed the persistent hostilities between the two communities where life and property worth millions of naira have been lost.
Umahi expressed dismay that despite the decision of the state government to set up a committee to look into the crisis, the affected communities a�?have refused to give peace a chance to enable the state government look into the cause of fresh hostilities in the areas.a�?
He said: a�?I am sad that there is still crisis in these communities despite the fact that we set up a committee to look into the matter. We pleaded with the communities to allow a ceasefire and await the outcome of the committeea��s report but it does appear that they do not want to give peace a chance.
a�?I therefore order the Commissioner of Police to arrest all the stakeholders and political office holders from the communities. Without looking back, all of you in this Executive Council Chamber are under arrest. I want the Commissioner of Police to detain you until peace returns to the communities,a�? Umahi said. (Premium Times)
Communal Crisis: Gov Umahi orders arrest of Deputy Chief of Staff
