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Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has asked security operatives to defend themselves against attackers.
The governor stated this on Friday while receiving the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of South East region, Joseph Egbunike.
A number of police officers and facilities have been attacked in the past weeks.
Lamenting the current security challenges, the governor said it is wrong for an operative to be holding a gun and allow such attackers go free.
“It is wrong for you to be holding a gun and someone will attack, kill and snatch your gun.
“You do not need anyone’s permission to defend yourselves. I state clearly that if a youth has the courage to attack a security agent with gun, such security agent should shoot to defend himself if he can.
“I have made this point severally and will never regret doing so,” the government said.
He said security personnel are human beings like other peoole in the society and are also fathers and mothers to people.
Umahi complained about shortage of police personnel in the state and urged the DIG to post more officers to Ebonyi for adequate security.
“You should not allow your personnel posted to the state to leave, because we need them and will do everything possible to accommodate them,” he said.
Speaking, Egbunike thanked the governor for his efforts, adding that he was in the state to oversee the activities of Police’s ‘Operation Restore Peace’ security initiative.
“Dialogue and diplomacy solve all issues of marginalisation, injustice, inequality, among others, and this is exemplified with the prevailing peace in Europe,” Egbunike said.
While urging the people to cooperate with the police to address the prevailing security situation, he said the challenging days in the country will soon be over.