Bandits Are Our Children, I Am Pained When They Are Killed, Governor Umahi Seeks Negotiations
- After imposing curfew in Ebonyi over worsening insecurity, Governor Umahi is ready to have a talk with bandits
- Umahi's goal is to find out why they are angry and come up with the best solutions to the current security challenges in the state
- The governor has tasked local government chairmen and religious leaders to identify the bandits and bring them for reconciliation talks
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As the federal and state governments struggle to solve the rising insecurity in the country, David Umahi, the governor of Ebonyi state, has declared his readiness to work things out with bandits.
Speaking on Friday, April 30, in Abakiliki, Umahi who described the bandits as "our children" said he wants to find out what their grievances are so as to come up with a solution to the current security challenges facing the state.
Source: Twitter
The governor made his intention known during the presentation of 40 Toyota Sienna vehicles and 20 pickup trucks to security agencies to enhance their operations in the state, NAN reports.
He stated:
“I want to talk to the bandits and empower them as we cannot continue to kill ourselves and destroy public infrastructure.
“The bandits are our children and I am pained when they or the security agencies are killed."
According to Premium Times, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and local government chairmen have been asked by Umahi to identify the bandits and present them for negotiations.
He said after coating the facts, discussions will commence and the way forward.
The governor was not pleased that the guidelines for the 2023 elections were announced at this critical time in the nation, PM News reports.
Umahi was of the opinion that this was not the time for such discussions, but rather a time for leaders to take responsibility and ensure that things are working fine in the nation.
Speaking on rumours that members of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) or Eastern Security Network (ESN) were after his life, the Ebonyi leader said it was false.
According to him, he has discharged his duties to the people.
IPOB/ESN not responsible for attacks
For months now, it has been one bandit attack after another across Nigeria. The IPOB and ESN have been blamed for most of the attacks in the southeast.
However, Umahi, in an earlier report by Legit.ng, said the numerous attacks in Ebonyi state were perpetrated by hoodlums who are only claiming to be IPOB/ESN members.
Making reference to a recent attack on a bank at Onueke in Ezza South local government area of the state, Umahi said those responsible are "pure bandits".
He said the hoodlums after causing mayhems go on social media to claim they are members of IPOB or ESN.
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Governor imposes curfew
As a way to curb bandit attacks and solve the problem of insecurity, Umahi imposed curfew in the border axis of the state starting from Wednesday, April 28, from 8pm to 6am.
All social events such as wake keeping and nightclubbing were also banned, as the governor warned that defaulters will be fined N1 million Read more:
Source: Legit.ng
