Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has condemned the unfortunate attack at the home of the Executive Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Steve Orogwu.
Ikengaonline had reported how gunmen on Tuesday night killed the Council Chairman’s elder brother, his two sons and a security guard.
The gunmen also set ablaze the home of the Orogwus.
In a statement, Mr. Umahi described the attack as “inhuman, vicious and barbaric.”
The statement made available to Ikengaonline read in part: “We received the disturbing news of the attack in the home of the Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area by unknown gunmen. The attack is unwholesome and inhuman, it is vicious and barbaric.
Umahi in the statement signed by his Media Aide, Nwaze Francis, called on security agencies to expedite action and unravel the perpetrators of the dastardly act so they could face justice.
“I call on the security agencies to speedily hunt for and arrest the perpetrators to bring them to justice.”
The Governor commiserated with the Chairman of the Council Area, Steve Orogwu, and all those who lost their loved ones in the senseless attack.
He appealed to them to remain calm as Government “works hard to track the culprits.”
Similarly, Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Francis Nwifuru, has condemned the attack describing it as despicable.
He said: “I condemn this unfortunate mayhem in the strongest possible terms. I can affirm that these unscrupulous elements are not for Ebonyi and do not represent our ideals as a people.
“As Government, we will toughen our security measures and redouble our efforts to root out all these bad eggs and fish out all of them, the culprits, to face the wrath of the Law,” he said.
Special Security Consultant to Ebonyi State Government, Stanley Okoro Emegha, equally condemned the attack.
He described the killing of the four persons as barbaric and unfortunate.
Emegha noted that the despicable act is coming at a time when Ebonyi is being celebrated as the most peaceful and economic vibrant state in the country.
While stating that the dastardly act does not project the image of the state in a good light nor does it represent the ideals of the people, the security consultant said normalcy had since returned to the area as more surveillance has been mounted in the area and parts of the state.
He said: ” I am deeply saddened that these unscrupulous elements could strike in this manner, but they should be rest assured that security searchlight has been beamed on them as they will within the shortest time be apprehended and prosecuted in line with the law.”
“I want to reiterate that the fact that there is no safe haven for crimes in the state. For some of them that engage on guerrilla warfare, the security personnel will not and never allow them to threaten the existing peace in the state.”
“May I also console the family of Elder Orogwu and the entire people of Ikwo Local Government Area for the unfortunate incident. May Almighty God grant the deceased eternal rest in his bosom.”
Mr. Emegha also used the opportunity to advise the members of the public to always endeavour to volunteer useful and prompt information to the security agencies when they suspect unholy activities lurking around their vicinities for quick intervention.
Security in the South-East has deteriorated with attacks on security agencies, government and public facilities and high-profile individuals becoming almost a daily occurrence.
