Tobias Sylvester
Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has reportedly ordered his security aides to shoot anyone who attempts to block his convoy, noting that if such gunshot results to death, it is still within the law.
KanyiDaily had reported that the governor issued the order at the weekend while narrating how his convoy was blocked while on his way back to Abakaliki, the State capital from his Uburu, Ohaozara home.
We gathered that the roadblock was mounted by a group of people observing a wake-keep sequel to a burial ceremony along Onicha Road in Onicha Local Government Area of the state on Friday night.
Speaking to guests at the Executive Chambers of the State government house in Abakaliki, Umahi, who was visibly annoyed, said:
“Yesterday night, I was coming back by 12 midnight. Of course, I had to stop over at the college to inspect projects, but when we got to Onicha, they blocked the road.
“Even with the litany of army and the police and everything, they did not even want to open the road. Then I said they should arrest all of them, but most of them ran away. I think they even took a gun of an army officer,” he said.
Umahi revealed that all those who ran away would still be arrested and imprisoned. He added;
“All of them will go to prison. So they have to identify them, bring them here and we will prosecute them to show an example,” he said.
“Next time the ADC should order for a shoot. It is very illegal to block the governor. And if anybody is killed in the course of that, it is allowed in the law.” the governor stated.
Governor Umahi also banned all forms of wake-keep beyond 10 pm in the state, adding that in any case where such event must pass the stipulated time, the organisers must seek permission from the local government chairman, who would be held responsible if anything occurs.
