BY VICTOR NWEGEDE
Chief Emmanuel Obasi.
The Principal Secretary to the Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Emmanuel Obasi JP has revealed why the South East Security Outfit was code-named EBUBEAGU.
Obasi in his commentary on the inauguration of the Ebubeagu South East Security of Ebonyi State Chapter, Wednesday in Abakaliki, revealed that the name depicts the glory of the kingship of the lion in the jungle over other animals.
"The name EBUBEAGU is a name depicting the glory of the kingship of the lion in the jungle over all other animals. Therefore, no animal challenges the lion in the jungle and go unhurt. When the lion appears in the jungle, all other animals will naturally be on their toes. This is why the South East Security Outfit is code-named EBUBEAGU," he said.
Obasi earlier stated that: "Today , history is made in Ebonyi State, nay, South Eastern Nigeria, as Ebonyi State Government officially launches the State Sector of the Ebubeagu Security Outfit.
"Ebubeagu Security Outfit is a Regional Security Outfit set up by the South East Governor's Forum under the auspices of the then Chairman of South East Security Committee, Maj General Obi Abel Umahi rtd.
"The formation of Ebubeagu South East Security was a child of circumstance arising from the general insecurity in the Country particularly in the South East where criminals and hoodlums have undertaken to attack personnels of conventional Security Agencies, destroy security and other public facilities and create general fear among the people. The attack by criminals, kidnappers, cultists, bandits, hoodlums, youth restiveness and herders-farmers conflicts across the South East zone therefore necessitated the setting up of this outfit in the zone in utmost good faith of assisting Conventional Security Agencies, through information gathering and surveillance, to secure the lives and properties of Ndigbo and other Nigerians and foreigners across the five Igbo States of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States.
"Furthermore, the idea of giving it a South East Regional outlook was to enhance ease of identification, inter-state cooperation and collaboration, effective communication, exchange and synergy in security matters following frequently reported cases of mass movement of criminals, arms and amunitions across the States. Giving the Security Outfit a common nomenclature is also aimed at differentiating its control, operations and outreach from other quasi-Security outfits operating in various forms in different South East States either at State, Local or Community levels. "
He added that "people with lion attitude are courageous to stand for what they believe in. Therefore, the youths of South Eastern States of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States who have elected to join Ebubeagu South East Security are courageous young men and women who have chosen to stand out and work for the peace, security and prosperity of Ndigbo, by excusing themselves from criminals, hoodlums, bandits, cultists and kidnappers who are destroying our people, their properties and future.
"Ebonyians must commend in a very special way, our indefatigable wonder working Governor, His Excellency, Engr Chief Dr David Nweze Umahi, Chairman, South East Governor's Forum, for pioneering the formation and launching of Ebubeagu in Ebonyi State as the first State to do so in the entire South East Zone of Nigeria. This is leading by example.
"More still, His Excellency has ensured that all the Commanders and Corps of Ebubeagu South East Security Ebonyi State are well trained to perform their duties in the best standard practices allowed by law. Ebonyi State Ebubeagu Security Outfit is established by the Ebubeagu Law as passed by Ebonyi State House of Assembly and assented to by Governor Umahi in the State and as such is a lawful organisation.
"As the outfit is being formally launched today, the Commanders and Corps will use the occasion to specially salute the Father of the State, His Excellency, Engr Chief Dr David Nweze Umahi and display and demonstrate their combat crafts and skills before the people of Ebonyi State.
"Finally, all and sundry are enjoined to support and encourage Ebubeagu Commanders and Corps in the discharge of their duties since it is clear that Ebubeagu Security Outfit has come to stay and we can all bear witnesses that crime rate in the State has dropped very significantly due to the efforts of the Security Agencies and Ebubeagu Security men and women.
"Inorder to ensure standard practices in the discharge of their duties, His Excellency, the Governor of Ebonyi State, has also appointed eminent Ebonyians to serve as members of the Public Complaint Committee on the activities and excesses ( if any) of Ebubeagu Corps as well as personnels of other Security Agencies in the State. By this, Governor Umahi has demonstrated once again that he is a true democrat and lover of the people. He has given us Security and we can all sleep in the night with our two eyes closed. Governor Umahi is simply the best and to God be the glory."
