Defend Yourselves from Armed Aggressors -Umahi

The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi has called on security agencies in the state to defend themselves from armed aggressors who attack them and destroy their facilities.

Umahi stated this at the weekend in Abakaiki while receiving the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the South-East zone, Mr Joseph Egbunike, in his office.

He reiterated that he is committed to ensuring that the ‘Operation Restore Peace’ a police initiative in the zone is achieved and charged the security operatives to engage anyone who attacked them.

“It is wrong for you to be holding a gun and someone will attack, kill and snatch your gun.

“You do not need anyone’s permission to defend yourselves.
“I state clearly that if a youth dares to attack a security agent with a gun, such security agent should shoot to defend himself if he can.

“I have made this point severally and will never regret doing so,” he said.
Umahi lamented that security personnel were human beings like others in society and also peoples’ fathers and mothers.

He further complained that there is a shortage of police personnel in the state and called on the DIG to post more to the state for adequate security.

“You should not allow your personnel posted to the state to leave because we need them and will do everything possible to accommodate them,” he said.

On his part, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the South-East zone, Mr Joseph Egbunike, thanked the governor for his reception, adding that he was in the state to oversee the activities of the police’s Operation Restore Peace security initiative.

“Dialogue and diplomacy solve all issues of marginalization, injustice, inequality, among others and this is exemplified with the prevailing peace in Europe,” he said.

Egbunike added that ‘the challenging days in the country would soon be over. He urged the people to cooperate with the Police to solve the prevailing security challenges in the zone and country.