ALGON Goes Raw over Ebonyi NASS Members Motion to Disban Ebubeagu

FROM OUR SECURITY WATCH DESK (ABAKALIKI)

The Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, Ebonyi State chapter has condemned in strongest terms the motion moved by members of the National Assembly from Ebonyi State, calling for the disbandment of Ebubeagu security outfit in the State.

In a statement issued by the state Chairman of the Association, Princess Nkechinyere Iyioku, ALGON expressed regret that such a motion was coming from elected members of the National Assembly who ordinarily ought to know and understand the very importance of security in the place of good governance. 

“First and foremost, ALGON views the motion as laughable and also highly bewildered to believe the fact that a group of PDP lawmakers whom the good people of Ebonyi State across all different constituencies went to the ballot, give their mandate to go, fight and protect their interests, security, growth, and development at the National level will be the ones to move a motion seeking for what would bring Ndi-Ebonyi to the dark days of old, she said.

Princess Iyioku who is also the Chairman of the Ohaozara local government area noted that it was very pertinent to state that the federal lawmakers should hide their faces in shame as the motion has attracted wide condemnation both from within and outside the state.  

“The motion would go into history to be a complete spat on the faces of the good people of Ebonyi, and we are saying that we expected something better from them rather than going there to undermine the support and goodwill that the state government have received since it set up the EbubeAgu Security Network”

“As those who are in the grassroots and closer to the people, it is imperative to put the records straight and better educate and clarify the general public as against the lies, falsehood, and propaganda of the PDP elected members of the House of Representatives. Ebubeagu Security Network is a Local Vigilante team established and duly backed up by law.

“The State Network is not just a creation of Ebonyi State but it cut across the entire States of the South East region and the sole purpose of her creation is to complement and aid the efficiency of the Nigeria Police Force and other Law Enforcement Agencies in helping to secure lives, properties and combat crimes within both rural and urban communities”. 

“It is also worthy of note to state that the Ebubeagu Security Network before being launched into the field, its personnel were subjected to intense Military drilling and training by the Joint efforts of selected Officials from the Nigerian Army, Police Force and Civil Defence over some time and well oriented with the *Modus Operandi* and code of conducts in relating with innocent civilians”.

“So as regards the white lie being meddled by the PDP members of the House of Representatives alleging that the operatives of Ebubeagu are not professionally trained, having detention cells and also go on a rampage with AK 47 and AK 49 rifles alongside other dangerous weapons; is a confirmation of the fact that they are disconnected from the people they represent”.

“The Ebubeagu law 2021 stipulates that every arrest made must be handed over to the police within a time frame. This vague allegation only shows to all Nigerians that the motion is a sponsored campaign of calumny against the outfit.  We had expected the PDP members of the House of Representatives to sponsor bills, move a motion that would reduce the pains and travails of the poor masses and help in consolidating on the glorious achievements of Governor David Umahi”

“ALGON also wish to noted and state categorically that the Lawmakers have chosen to play politics with the lives of Ebonyi people by attempting to discredit the tremendous efforts of the Governor who have worked painstakingly to establish the Ebubeagu Team which has greatly yielded the lasting peace and security we enjoy in the State today”.

“Let it be put on record that the Security of lives and properties of our people should and must never be politicized. Body irrespective of political affiliation, tribe, or clan should be seen to be playing politics with the security of lives and properties of our people. As Politicians, everyone needs to learn to draw the line between one’s personal selfish interest and the safety of lives of our citizens; all in the name of opposition”.

“His Excellency, being a True leader with exceptional wisdom and knowledge, not only in the other spheres of governance but also in security as well, has put in so much effort into security to ensure that Ebonyians now sleep with their two eyes closed. Rather than give kudos to the state Governor for being proactive in tackling the security challenges in the state, the *National Assembly Members*

have decided to be a clog in the wheel of progress. It is pertinent to state that, since the coming on board of Ebubeagu Security Network, the hoodlums that once unleashed mayhem on the people had all disappeared and normalcy returned”. 

“Over the years now, different States and regions of the country have been adopting State Vigilante in helping to tackle insecurity and crimes; and they have vehemently been enjoying great support from governments and leaders of their States. In the Western States, we have ‘Amotekun’ and in the Northern States, we have ‘Hisbah’ Police, with none of their law Makers at any point in time(not even for Political Party Affiliation sake), come to the House of Assembly seeking for its disbandment; but ours is a direct opposite.”

“And may I ask, where were the so-called group of Law Makers representing our people when our people were been murdered, slaughtered, killed, and harassed at various occasions by bandits, insurgents, criminal crashes, criminal elements, and Unknown Gun Men killing Police Officers and burning Police Stations?

” Where have they been, on those occasions when Members of the Ebubeagu Security Network are being attacked by hoodlums in which over 7 of them have lost their lives in the process? Why didn’t they raise a motion then, to curtail all these incessant evils plaguing our lands then?.

“It is on record that all through the period that the State was faced life-threatening security challenges, non of the so-called Ebonyi Representatives at the National Assembly who claims to love Ebonyians moved a motion asking the Federal Government to intervene; rather they all decided to pretend that nothing was happening. 

“And would it be wrong for our people to ask, why is it that the group of PDP House of Assembly Members doesn’t have issues with nor moved against bandits, killer herdsmen, criminals, Unknown Gun Men, Political thugs, hoodlums, unemployment, or even the incessant consumption of hard drugs by our youths; but they have problem with Ebubeagu which was created to help fight all this menace? (I guess they do have some explanations to give us on that)”

Our Politicians should learn to understand that political scores should never be settled with the lives and security of our people and as these young and energetic men are putting their lives on the line to ensure the security of the lives and properties of every citizen of the state, what they need from us as leaders is our encouragement and support.

“While as a body we have and will continue to condemn in its entirety the ugly incident which occurred in Ivo L.G that led to the loss of lives and properties worth millions and do not desire for such incident should reoccur again in the state.”

“It’s on this note, that we are stating categorically as the *Association of Local Government, Ebonyi State (ALGON)* to those calling for the scrapping of Ebubeagu Security Network, to stop daydreaming but instead forsake bitterness and selfish interest and humbly learn what true leadership means from our dear Governor, His Excellency Engr Dr. David Nweze Umahi and begin to put their heads to positive use by moving motions that would attract improved standard of living to our people, massive youth empowerment, enhanced human capital development, economic growth and infrastructural development of our dear State.

“Also, we are solidly in support of the creation and continuous operation of the Ebubeagu Security Network in Ebonyi State and we wish to make it categorically clear to everyone, most especially criminal elements, and their sponsors that Ebubeagu has come to stay.”/ALGON stated