Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has inaugurated two vigilante groups to complement the efforts of security agencies in protecting the lives and property of residents of the state.
This is coming four days after a high court banned the Ebubeagu security outfit in the state.
The two vigilantes are Ebonyi State Vigilante Corps and the defunct Neighbourhood Watch, which earlier came into existence in 2016.
A Federal High Court in Abakaliki presided by Justice Fatun Riman, disbanded Ebubeagu because its establishment was illegal.
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Umahi also condemned the recent attitude of some youths who on Thursday staged a peaceful protest against the court’s order disbanding the Ebubeagu outfit.
He said, “The judgment of the court remains the judgment of the court, and this is the court of first instance; we still have the appeal court and we still have the Supreme Court to be used to address any envisaged injustice.”
Justice Riman had in the ruling on Tuesday, February 14, ordered the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Security (DSS) to arrest and prosecute anyone found bearing arms in the name of Ebubeagu security outfit in the state.
The governor’s reaction came during a broadcast to the people of Ebonyi State on the issues of peace and security in the state including free and fair elections on 25 February and March 11 polls.
