Ebonyi State government has issued a stern warning to criminal elements still operating in hidden parts of the state, to leave or risk being apprehended to face the full wrath of the laws.
The Special Assistant to the Governor of Ebonyi State on Capital City Security, Panchrist Eze, who gave the warning on Wednesday during an interaction with journalists at Abakaliki said the state does not pit any criminal element in the state.
“We don’t pity criminals if you are caught. After receiving our pursuit, nobody will tell you to leave the state,” he warned.
Eze described Ebonyi as the safest state in the South East, attributing the achievement to the robust synergy between security agencies and the Neighbourhood Watch in the state.
He said the state currently records zero incidents of kidnapping, corpse dumping, car snatching, and vandalism — crimes that have plagued other parts of the region.
"Why Ebonyi is the safest place in South East, I can say, is because of the help of the security agencies. Neighbourhood Watch, I can say, is their number one," Eze stated confidently.
He emphasized the operational structure of the state’s security team, explaining that Neighbourhood Watch officers across all 13 local government areas of the state work in close collaboration with the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and drug enforcement agencies.
“Our role is to arrest and hand over suspects to the police for further investigation. In cases of vandalism or drug-related crimes, we also liaise with the Civil Defence and drug agencies,” he explained.
Eze refuted claims that there is an illegal detention facility within the Government House premises.
He clarified that suspects apprehended by Neighbourhood Watch operatives are only temporarily held at the security headquarters before being handed over to appropriate authorities.
“There is no cell here (Government House). What we have is a holding centre where security personnel from all local governments bring suspects before proper transfer,” he added.
Eze commended the current administration for its investment in security infrastructure, stating that the state’s Neighbourhood Watch is fully equipped with modern gadgets and operational vehicles.
Recounting public feedback on the improved security atmosphere, he said, “One Ebonyi woman who visited last week told people that this is the first place where someone can sleep without hearing gunshots. People now move freely at night.”
While acknowledging that petty crimes like theft still occur occasionally, Eze assured the public that security agents are actively repelling such elements to maintain peace across the state.
The governor's aide underscored the growing confidence of Ebonyi authorities in their grassroots-driven approach to state policing and community security.
Source: National Panel
