Ebubeagu Menace: Ebonyi Police Commissioner redeployed, investigation starts

As petitions mount on the activities of Ebubeagu, the police highest command Tuesday redeployed the Ebonyi state police commissioner, Garba Aliyu. He has since been replaced with Mr Faleye ES Olaleye as the new Commissioner of Police.

Hailing the change, many opposition politicians welcome the development, stressing that a level playing field has been created for the upcoming polls.

It would be recalled that many observers have continued to accuse the police under the command of the former commissioner of siding with the Ebubeagu outfit. A report also revealed that the formation was used in muzzling opposition in the state through intimidation and other oppressive actions.

In a recent report, former Governor of the state, Senator Sam Egwu, narrated how the police stood by and supervised his harassment by the Ebubeagu militia. He said he was on his way to a rally when a blockade by the group delayed his entry into Ebonyi local government headquarters for his campaign. He lamented the fact that the police always appear helpless where Ebubeagu nefarious activities are involved.

Egwu condemned the governor for emasculating the political space, stressing that he (Umahi) was making it difficult for democracy to thrive.

Interestingly, the Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA) had also issued a searing statement on the activities of Ebubeagu, accusing Governor Dave Umahi of colluding with the militia to haunt political opponents.

HURIWA, a respected Pro Human Rights body, has since followed up its press release with letters of petitions to the United States Embassy among other foreign missions to deny Governor Umahi Visas.

Consequently, credible sources have revealed that the Inspector General of Police office is currently investigating all reports of the high handedness of the Ebubeagu in the state. According to an insider at the police command, “changing the CP is one of the many ways the IGP is dealing with the Ebonyi state situation. He has also set up an investigation panel into any report of the atrocities of Ebubeagu. The new CP has been told clearly to curtail their menace and move the state away from militia anarchists.”