The Ebonyi State government on Friday disbanded the South-East security outfit, commonly called Ebubeagu.
THE EDITOR NIGERIA reports that this was as Governor Dave Umahi revealed that a plan is already before the Ebonyi House of Assembly for the formation of two local security outfits. According to Umahi, the legal framework has been passed into law to replace Ebubeagu.
On Tuesday that the Federal High Court in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State disbanded Ebubeagu.
The court said the disbandment was due to human rights abuses, extortions, illegal arrests and use of firearms.
Recall that Ebubeagu was set up in 2021 by governors of the five states in the South-east to help in the fight against insecurity in the region, which has witnessed deadly attacks linked to the Biafra agitation by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
But the security outfit has been accused of extrajudicial killings like in the tragic incident in July 2022 where some Imo youths returning from a wedding ceremony were shot dead at a close range.
Speaking during an enlarged security meeting in Abakaliki on Friday, Governor Umahi said Ebubeagu will not function in Ebonyi State until the Stay of Execution is granted and appeal is entered, adding that “this is in obedience to the rule of law and respect for our judiciary which I have great respect for, whether the judgement is good for our people or bad”.
The Governor continued: “However, it must be noted that just about a month ago, another court of equal jurisdiction had passed a judgement restraining anybody from disbanding Ebubeagu, what it means is that I have two judgements on the same subject and I could choose the one to obey if I were not a lover of the judiciary, however, I have decided to obey the later judgement that says that Ebubeagu should not function.
“So, for now, Ebubeagu should not function while we process the Stay of Execution and appeal entered at Enugu and Ebubeagu when granted will begin to function again.
“Let me thank the House of Assembly for passing into law another two sets of vigilante outfits for Ebonyi State whose process started in 2021 but they graciously passed it a few days ago and that is Ebonyi State Neighbourhood Watch.
“Let me say that we have had this Neighbourhood Watch even before now as far back as 2015 and they did tremendously very well so the law is back and they are empowered to function.”
