By Our Reporter
The Senate on Wednesday urged the Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Usman Baba to investigate the alleged invasion of communities in Ebonyi by hoodlums.
The senate gave the directive at plenary following the consideration and adoption of a motion by Sen. Sam Egwu (PDP- Ebonyi).
Recall that Egedege, Obehi and Amuzu communities in Ishielu Local Government Area of the state were invaded on March 30, during which some residents were allegedly killed and others kidnapped.
Also, a similar incident happened on April 12 when Otuebu, Igidi Obu and Ndiagu Ibe-Agba villages in Umuogudu Akpu Community, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state were allegedly invaded.
However, the Senate in its resolution also urged the Federal Government and its Ebonyi counterpart to put appropriate measures in place to forestall further attacks.
The Red Chambers also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to intervene through the distribution of relief materials to the victims and displaced persons in the affected communities.
It further directed the Nigerian Police and other relevant security agencies to carry out comprehensive investigation of the attacks with a view to arresting and prosecuting the perpetrators and to rescue hostages.
Egwu had in a motion titled: ‘Urgent Need for Federal Government’s Intervention to End the Serial Killing of Innocent and Defenseless Citizens in Ebonyi State by Alleged Herdsmen’, decried the state of insecurity in Ebonyi.
Relying on Order 42 and 52 of the Senate Rules, the former governor expressed concern that killing, maiming, kidnapping and wanton destruction of lives and property had abated in the state.
According to him, over 18 indigenes of Egedege, Obehi and Amuzu communities in Ishielu Local Government Area of the state, including a priest, was killed on March, 30.
Egwu said that similar incident happened on April 12 when Otuebu, Igidi Obu and Ndiagu Ibe-Agba villages in Umuogudu Akpu Community, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state were allegedly invaded.
He alleged that no fewer than 12 people were killed, five persons kidnapped and 56 houses destroyed during the invasion.
“These wicked and senseless killings, kidnapping and destruction of property may continue if the Federal Government does not intervene urgently,” he said.
Egwu said that the prevailing situation had subjected residents of the state to severe hardship and fear.
In a contribution, Sen. Chukwuka Utazi (PDP- Enugu ) called for inter-agency interventions that would put a stop to the killings and allow people to do business without hindrances in the country.
Utazi said that it was worrisome that issues of such nature had been reoccurring in a country under the Rule of Law.
Also, Sen. Michael Nnachi (PDP -Ebonyi ), said that the number of lives lost so far due to clashes between communities and herdsmen was alarming.
He described the motion by Egwu as heartbreaking, adding that something must be done to safeguard the lives of the people.
Meanwhile, the Senate, while observing a minute silence in honour of the victims, condemned the incident.
