The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered investigations into the activities of former Ebonyi state Commissioner of Police, Garba Aliyu, who was dismissed on Wednesday and replaced by Mr Faleye ES Olaleye.
Garba Aliyu’s dismissal came after he was repeatedly linked to the atrocities of the Ebubeagu outfit, an allegation he has consistently denied.
It was gathered the Inspector-General of Police is currently investigating all reports of the Ebubeagu’s high handedness throughout the state.
“Changing the CP is one of the many ways the IGP is dealing with the Ebonyi state situation. The IGP 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”, a source said.
Petitions have been filed against the operations of Ebubeagu, the highest command of the police in Ebonyi State.
Residents, on the other hand, believed the redeployed Commissioner of Police was conspiring with the governor, Dave Umahi, to repress opposition.
Many lawmakers have directly accused him of utilizing the militia organization to shame opponents and assault anyone who criticize him.
The police highest command on Tuesday acted fast by removing Aliyu.
Speculations have been rife that he had obviously been compromised state top cop.
A new helmsman has since been sent to the state.
Speaking on the development, several residents said the removal was timely and highly welcome as the state was already descending into a lawless zone.
Ezra Obi, a trader said that Ebubeagu had unleashed a regime of hellish attack on the citizenry. He said, “even simple civilian issues, they Wade in and deal with people. We were harassed and subjected to all sort of maltreatment.”
Several protesters both within Ebonyi and outside the state have continued to criticize the governor for using the armed group to deal with politicians and anyone with an independent view.
Ms Blessing Peter, a house wife based in Afikpo narrated how Ebubeagu beat her and her family for supporting the PDP. She said, “we are a PDP family. The governor moved to the APC on his own. Now he wants to force us all to follow suit. They came here and pulled down the poster outside and start shouting. We were treated like common prisoners.”
She expressed happiness that a new Commissioner of Police has been appointed, saying she believed his coming will bring some relief.
Many opposition politicians welcome the development, stressing that a level playing field has been created for the upcoming polls.
Many analysts had continued to accuse the police under the command of Aliyu 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.
For instance, a 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 organization, has since followed up its statement with letters of petitions to the United States Embassy among other foreign missions to deny Governor Umahi Visas.