By Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

Ebonyi Governor David Umahi has called for flushing out of all criminal elements from the forests in the southeast by security agencies.

The Governor stated this in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State on Monday.

He spoke at the All Progressive Congress (APC) Ebonyi State chapter stakeholders meeting, which held at the Ecumenical Centre.

He said: “In our forests today, we have the kidnappers, herdsmen, cultists, all sorts of criminals, anybody staying in the forest is taking a risk, when we say that people should move out of the forests, it is for their safety and security, so I support that kidnappers, herdsmen, cultists, and bandits should be flushed out of our forests.”

Umahi, who is also the Chairman of Southeast Governors Forum, said the zone had since banned the movement of cows by foot.

He enjoined leaders to exhibit patriotism in their conduct to guarantee unity.

He called on leaders and stakeholders of the zone to speak up and desist from playing politics with the security of the zone and nation.

“Governors of South East have been calling on our leaders to speak out on the security of the zone and unity of Nigeria, I read on paper where someone said he was giving Governors of South East 7-days to ban open grazing, the Governors of southeast had banned open grazing and movement of cows by foot into South East, in each of States of the South East, we are managing ourselves well, what we discuss with the herdsmen is the system in place for a long time.”

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