The gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ebonyi State, Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii on Friday raised the alarm over alleged increased insecurity and killings in the State, ahead of the forthcoming general election.
Odii, who expressed worries over the recent threat to security in the State, especially in his Onicha LGA, called on the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector-General of Police to wade into the situation.
The Gubernatorial candidate in a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Abakaliki, through the Director, Media and Publicity,
AnyiChuks Grassroots Support Organization, Mr. Abia Onyike, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to deploy effective security measures to restore order and normalcy to the troubled communities.
According to him: “We are highly disturbed by the alarming State of security breaches in Ebonyi State, especially in Isu, Onicha LGA of Ebonyi State and its environs, including the latest abduction of the Provost of the Federal College of Education, Isu, Prof. Reuben Okechukwu.
“He was abducted by armed men on Wednesday, 19th October, 2022 at the boundary between Isu and Agba in Ishielu LGA of Ebonyi State.
“Within a space of six months, three prominent indigenes of Isu Okoma Community have been shot dead by hoodlums at different times, while the Traditional Ruler of the Community, Eze Ambrose Ogbu was kidnapped six months ago and is yet to regain his freedom.
“In the light of the above, we wish to call on the Federal Government and the Inspector-General of Police to wade into the security crises in Onicha LGA with a view to unraveling the mystery behind the continuous bloodshed in the area by miscreants.
“We equally urge the Ebonyi State Government and Onicha LGA to brace up to the security challenges which have resulted in the death of prominent citizens in the area. It is the primary responsibility of the government to maintain law and order so as to protect lives and property.
“In the past, Ebonyi State had been very peaceful, but we are highly perturbed at the level of insecurity and violent deaths in the vicinity.
“The Federal and the State Governments should collaborate and deploy effective security measures to restore order and normalcy to the troubled communities,” he lamented.