The Ebonyi government has donated 100 bikes to security agencies in the conflict-torn Effium region of Ohaukwu Local Government Area to boost security operations, protect lives and properties.
This was unveiled during the presentation in Abakaliki on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, by Mr Stanley Okoro-Emegha, the state Commissioner for Border, Peace, and Internal Security.
He said that the measure would help in the resolution of the Effium, Ezza-Effium intercommunal dispute.
Okoro-Emegha stated that security forces had protested about challenges in reaching remote parts of the city where many conflicts had occurred.
“There are many locations that cannot be reached by vehicle, and the state government listened to security agencies’ concerns.
“20 bikes were assigned to soldiers on duty in the city, 30 to police, and 50 to the state’s neighbourhood security watch,” he said.
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According to the commissioner, the cooperation of the government and security forces has restored substantial stability to the troubled community.
“The state deputy governor tours the city daily for on-the-spot assessments, and we are relieved that normalcy has returned.
“When the Effium, Ezza-Effium dispute is permanently resolved, the bikes will continue to be deployed in general protecting the state,” he added.
He insisted that phones recovered in the Umogodoakpu group of the same Ohaukwu LGA were being used to track down the perpetrators of recent killings in the region.
“The assailants fired at the soldiers sent to restore normalcy in the region, leading the government to believe that the attackers are from the neighbouring city of Benue,” he said.
The Effium, Ezza-Effum dispute, which began in January 2021, has resulted in many deaths and the loss of property worth millions of naira.
Also, unknown gunmen recently attacked the Umuogodoakpu community, killing four people and destroying buildings.
