23/10/2023
*PRESS BRIEFING ON THE ALLEGED CULT RELATED CLASH THAT HAS LED TO THE LOST OF LIVES AND WANTON DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTIES WITHIN NKWEGU AXIS OF ABAKALIKI LGA, ISSUED TODAY, 23RD OF OCTOBER, 2023.*
*Gentlemen of the press*
It is with high sense of responsibility and value for the Chastity of human lives that I wish to condemn in strongest term the alledged recent clash between rival cult groups in nkwegu areas of Abakaliki Local Government council which has led to the brutal killing of three persons leaving behind others with various degree of injuries while valuable properties were utterly destroyed.
It is very sad and worrisome to observe that this unfortunate incident has caused serious pain and emotional trauma to the parents and relatives of the victims and as well thrown the people of the area into fear, anxiety and pandemonium, while the socio-economic activities of the masses have been grossly affected since early last week when the trouble started.
However, in spite of the uproar, the government has remained hell bent to quell the ugly situation and as well ensure total restoration of peace, tranquility, and orderliness in the troubled areas.
As part of our response to end violence and other related activities in Nkwegu metropolis and in every other part of Abakaliki Local Government council, I have had an enlarged security meeting with the security chiefs, stakeholders, traditional rulers, town union presidents, village heads, religious body, among others with emphasis on the need to prioritize security in all communities of the council Area.
In the course of the security meeting, all the community leaders, village leadership and opinion molders were made to sign undertaking that they should be accountable to any security breach in their respective localities and to ensure that all the communities engage in vigilante and neighborhood watch security, and as well be able to provide timely and relevant information that can enable security of lives and properties.
It is noteworthy to inform you that Abakaliki Local Government Area as very peaceful local Government Area is not known for violence, civil disobedience and other forms of social ills, Hence the need to arrest this ugly situation and save our people from the hands of few disgruntled Elements.
In the light of the above, I wish to inform you that the security Agents with the help of our people have fully commenced investigation into the recent fracas and will not retreat until all the perpetrators of the dastardly act are arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the provision of the law, so as to serve as a deterrent to others.
I want to use this medium to announce that Abakaliki Local Government Area under my watch has no room for cultist and criminals, as we cannot in any circumstances spare anybody who engages in any clandestine movement or cult related activities no matter whose ox is gored.
It is on this note that I wish to charge all the residents of Abakaliki Local Government Area to be peaceful and law abiding, or else should find another place to live because the place is now too hot to accommodate deviants and irresponsible individuals who do not mean well for the society.
In the same vein, I want to urge the good people of Abakaliki Local Government especially those living around nkwegu Axis to go about their normal lawful business without panic as government is already on top of the situation and will not relent until sanity is brought to all the troubled areas.
On this note, I want to sound it as a serious warning that no business owners should allow his or her, including hotels, shops and rented apartment to be used for any criminal or cult related activities, such as facilities will be sealed and owners be prosecuted accordingly.
Having said this, I Wish to commend very highly our God's sent and Peace loving Governor,*His Excellency, Rt. Honourable builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru*, who is highly committed to ensure that peace and tranquility reign in every part of Ebonyi state.
It is not disputable that the governor who fully understand that development cannot thrive in the atmosphere of violence, rancor, and acrimony has done creditably well by initiating actioned plans and policies that guarantee that the security of lives and properties in all the nooks and crannies of the state. The people of Abakaliki Local Government are highly indebted to him.
Finally, I wish to appreciate the effort of security Agents especially the police and the military for their quick intervention and proactive steps in quenching the recent bloody clash that would have done more harm in the troubled areas, while encouraging them never to relent until lasting peace and orderliness are restored in the area.
Once again, thank you and bless you
*Signed*
*Hon. Stephen Ebere Nwogba (JP)*
*Executive Chairman, Abakaliki LGA*
