David Umahi, governor of Ebonyi State has ordered security agencies to gun down bandits terrorising the state.
The directive by Mr Umahi comes after a similar one by President Muhammadu Buhari urging security agencies to kill ballot box snatchers who might wish to thwart the electoral will of Nigerians as the go to elect their leaders in the rescheduled general election beginning from Saturday.
Mr Buhari’s order earned him enough criticism but the president is not backing down.
The mandate from the governor who belongs to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came amidst rise in incessant attacks and violent crimes in the state.
He gave the order when he visited Agbaja communities in Izzi local government area to sympathize with the victims, calling on the youths to organize themselves and defend women and their families from further attacks.
“I am the Chief security officer of Ebony state. I want to order security agencies to shoot-at-sight any person bearing illegal firearms which he is using to attack Ebonyi people,” Umahi was quoted by Blueprint Newspaper to have said.
“I want the commissioner of Police to withdraw all illegal policemen attached to some politicians in the state. The leaders of Izzi clan are the ones causing the crisis.
“Youths of Izzi should unite and come together to protect their mothers, younger ones and themselves too.
“If you arrest any person with gun, break the person’s hands, legs and tie him to the police station.
“I want the security agencies to be ruthless to any person who attacks innocent and lawn abiding citizens in the state. If this violence and attack continue,
“I will order the arrest of all the leaders of Izzi no matter the person or his relationship with the president,” he warned.
