2023: Gov Umahi meets service chiefs, assures of watertight security
From Chinedu Nwafor, Abakaliki
Governor David Umahi on Friday held last minute security meeting with security chiefs and has assured adequate security ahead of the polls.
He urged the residents of Ebonyi State to go all out to exercise their franchise as there would be adequate security across the State.
The Governor further urged the residents not to entertain fears on the flight patrol of Officers of the Nigerian Air force across the State, as all is geared towards ensuring adequate security in the State.
Governor Umahi disclosed this to Journalists shortly after security council meeting with service chiefs in his conference room, on Friday.
The Governor clarified that the operation was to ensure miscreants do not exploit opportunities to cause breakdown of law and order during the general elections.
“We also got a surprise package from Security Chiefs from Abuja all geared towards having a free and fair election. Ladies and gentlemen, let me inform you that we have a flying Officer from the Nigerian Air force, Enugu.
“I want Ebonyians to know that they would be flying low to maintain law and order, so you should not entertain any fears.”
Governor Umahi while assuring that efforts had been put in place to ensure hitchfree elections in the State, said the efforts were to instill confidence on the voters, as deployment of electoral materials and personnel had been concluded to ensure free and fair elections.
The Governor expressed concern about possible cases of existence of fake election observers and urged Security Agencies to checkmate the situation.
The Governor also directed Security Agencies to ensure that movement across polling units during elections were prohibited within the State.
“We have also agreed that anybody seen with gun that shouldn’t have gun or trying to disrupt the election processes should be immediately arrested and taken away.
“I have instructed all my party people including those of other parties not to violate electoral laws, anyone doing so must be arrested.”
The Governor also remarked that though the activities of Ebubeagu Security outfit has been suspended, it’s replacements, the Neighbourhood Watch and Vigilante Corps would not participate in Election Security