ESN Not Alternate Police Force Says Gov Umahi

--As he inaugurates Security Outfit BY NDUBUISI NWOGHA, ABAKALIKI

Governor David Umahi Wednesday launched the regional security outfit, Ebubeagu South East Security Network, Ebonyi State command stating that the outfit not an alternate police force. Governor Umahi made the statement at Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital. Recall that South East Governors Forum led by Engr David Umahi in away to curb incessant insecurity in the region had set up a committee headed by Major General Obi Umahi (retd.) for the formation of the regional security outfit.

The governor noted that the security body would work under the Nigeria Police force and added that since the inception of the outfit in the state has helped curbed incessant cases of burglary and destruction of the public property including the city's street lights. Umahi stated that the outfit is lawful as it is backed by the law of the state making Ebonyi the second state in South East to had given assent to the law. "I can recall how many times we met at Enugu state over this security issue and I can say that sixty percent of our Governors have given assent to the Ebubeagu law and Ebonyi is the second state to do this after Imo state which is the law on Ebubeagu passed by the state House of Assembly. The state Governor called on the Attorney General of the state to expand the law to include promotion and pension of the men of the security outfit after successful completion of service.

"I am be moved to challenge the Honourable Attorney General and the handlers to expand this law to include promotion of the men and to include greater measure for their welfares for excellent performance, dedication and commitment to make this an employment opportunity for our people and make it pensionable. He added," Everybody will die one day and so, nobody is afraid of speaking about death but in their likely event that anyone be called on active service; we have to make provision that will assist the family and for their burial. "So, it's my pleasure that by 2022, we'll make this outfit an employable outfit and will be envy of people that are seeking for employment. "We will pay you what graduates in level 12 cannot get. He emphasized He tasked the men of Ebubeagu security outfit to work with the men of Nigeria Police force and stated that they are not to engage them on any form of altercation or fight over superiority. "Let me say that section seven (7) sub section seven (7) of the Ebonyi State law on Ebubeagu says that the function of Ebubeagu is to assist the police and other security agencies in carrying out any lawful activities that will assist in maintaning law and order in the state. "So, let me say that this is not an alternate police force but this outfit is under the tutelage, and supervision, monitoring, directive and obedience to the Nigeria Police Force. "There shall be no altercation, no superiority fight, you are told by the Chief Security Officer of the state; me, that you are under the police force and anybody who doesn't like it and want to do otherwise can bow out.

He further emphasized on the need for the men to respect the right of citizenry, even as he called those who are afraid of the outfit to challenge it in the court of law. "Section 12 says that the agency in their course of carrying out their duty should safeguard the human rights of every person (s) in line with the constitution. "Let me say that the outfit is not politically motivated but those who have been sponsoring insecurity in the state or who are afraid of the outfit can go to court to challenge the law as this outfit will never be disbanded. He called on the public not to panic that the state government would create an avenue for them to send their complain, hence, will incorporate in the law of the state through the house of assembly a committee to supervise the provost of the outfit to ensure that the citizens rights are not abused.