TheCable

In what came as a surprise, Dave Umahi, governor of Ebonyi state, ordered the arrest of government officials from two warring communities in Ikwo local government area of the state, on Thursday.

Umahi gave the order in Abakaliki, the state capital, during an enlarged security meeting convened on the communal clash between Ekpomaka and Inyimegu communities of the area.

The governor said he had information that those whose arrest he ordered were involved in the crisis affecting the area.

The governor, who was livid with rage, asked Tituts Lamorde, commissioner of police in the state, to arrest Fidelis Okpata, his deputy chief of staff, traditional rulers and government officials present at the meeting.

He also ordered the arrest of those who were not present at the meeting including Frederick Udogu, chairman of Abakaliki Capital Territory Development Board, and Eso Udogu, ccoordinator of Ikwo South Development Centre.

Umahi directed Cletus Ofoke, commissioner for justice, to obtain a court order to detain them.

“They should remain in detention until they sign an undertaking that no further life would be lost or property destroyed in both communities,” he said.

“I don’t mind losing all the votes from the areas but I will not keep quiet and watch people die unnecessarily and properties destroyed due to irrelevant issues.”

He ordered his aide-de-camp to lock all the doors of the state executive council chamber to prevent the affected persons from leaving the chambers.

Immediately, the police arrested the officials.