A group, Justice for Ebonyi Forum (JEF) has called on security agencies to investigate the allegation that arms and ammunition were discovered in the family house of the Umahis one of whom is the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ebonyi State for 2015 polls.
According to the group, they had been raising the alarm that some politicians were stockpiling arms preparatory to the elections and insisted that above all things, they needed peace while influence should not be used to endanger the people.
The group said it was widely reported that following some intelligence reports about security threats and sundry illegal activities of some influential people, some soldiers were detailed to the compound of the Umahis in Uburu , Ohaozara Local Government Area where a search allegedly revealed some cache of arms.
They regretted that in spite of the gravity of the said discovery, no one had been arrested or prosecuted and warned that covering up such findings was the fastest way f undermining the state.
A statement by the national President of the Forum, Mr. Nwika Emmanuel and the National Secretary, Nwokwu Okorie said they may be forced to seek for a mandamus to ensure the prosecution of those behind the said stockpile.
They also charged security agencies, especially the police to open up on the matter and tell the people what happened so that the Uburu community would sleep in peace, adding that no one should be allowed to use his professional advantage to intimidate and make life unsafe for their people.
“We read in the media and confirmed from some villagers that the home of the Umahis was searched by a combined team of security agents, majority among them soldiers. We also learnt that arms and ammunition were recovered in the said search.
“However, we also know that the family of the Umahis has a retired senior military officer and we hope the military would not try to protect their own by refusing to make those involved in the said acts to face the law of the country; after all no one is above the law.
“After politics, there will still be life and we do not have to stock arms and ammunition in residential areas. Those who want to lead should rather than prepare as if for war, canvass for votes. We are stakeholders and would do everything within the confines of the law to protect our people”, they charged,
The group however called on Governor Martin Elechi to exercise the power of his office and as the Chief security officer of the state to ensure that lives and properties were secure while the poor in society were not intimidated with ill-gotten wealth to further make their lives miserable.
An attempt to confirm the alleged arms find was not successful as calls to some of the aides to the PDP candidate were not answered as they were allegedly busy with campaigns.
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