…. We’ll appear to you like a ghost, and deal with you like a ghost
From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The Enugu State Security Council comprising the heads of security agencies in the state rose from their meeting at the Government House, Enugu, on Monday with a stern warning to those planning to enforce any form of sit-at-home in the state to desist or meet their waterloo.
The Security Council meeting, which was presided over by the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, said sit-at-home remained an aberration in all the nooks and crannies of Enugu State, saying no one had the right to stop anyone else from going about his or her lawful business.
The warning came against the backdrop of a purported threat issued by Simon Ekpa, the leader of the Autopilot militia group calling for a one-week sit-at-home.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, Kanayo Uzuegbu, said, “We are just coming out of the Security Council meeting with His Excellency the Governor and with all the security chiefs in attendance. We took some strategic and critical decisions to ensure that security architecture in the state is further strengthened. We have to give the good people of Enugu State security guarantee.
“We also resolved that sit-at-home remains an aberration in Enugu State. People should go about their lawful businesses. Any activities or actions by any person or persons that are inimical to the peace of the state, we assure you, they will be ruthlessly dealt with. Any person that disturbs their peace and business, oh my God, sorry is his name.
“The morale of all the security forces is very high. There is confidence building. Our men are ready to crush any criminal that dares the peace of the state. We are further positioning the security forces in every corner of Enugu State. We will appear to the criminal elements like a ghost and deal with them like a ghost.
“I can assure you that His Excellency has motivated us. We have built the confidence of our men. We have drawn our operational order in line with security needs. We are not relenting on our efforts. People should go about their lawful businesses,” he said.
Recall that the governor of Enugu State, who banned all forms of sit-at-home on assumption of office in 2023, had, while receiving members of the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence at the weekend, urged the people of the region, especially the people of Enugu State to disregard every form of threats or orders by the Finland-based Ekpa.
He described the leader of the Autopilot militia group as a businessman, scammer, and common criminal, who had no interest of Ndigbo at heart, but rather fed on their emotions and sufferings by creating a siege atmosphere.
Mbah had charged the people to go about their lawful businesses, as the state, under him, had demonstrated the capacity to protect lives and property.
He had also charged the security forces to deal with any criminal that tests his administration’s resolve to ensure security and order in the state.
