Dave Umahi, Ebonyi State governor, has threatened to go after parents of gunmen perpetrating attacks and killings in the state.
Umahi said this on Wednesday, during the signing of the contract agreement for the construction of the second phase of the Abakaliki ring road in his office in Abakaliki, the state capital.
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Francis Nwaze, the governor promised to give employment to those behind the attacks if that is what they want.
He, however, warned the if the violence continues, “parents of these boys” will have a taste of the pain their children inflict on others.
Umahi also said traditional rulers, coordinators of development centres and council chairmen will be held accountable henceforth for any breach of peace in the state.
“There will be no killings again or burning of houses in my state. If the problem is that they don’t have anything doing, bring them, I will find them something doing. But if they refuse and you fail to bring their names to me, you will pay the price,” he said.
“All I need is information. If they take this offer, I will not arrest anybody. I will empower and integrate them, but nobody should kill anybody.
“About this Monday thing, you must mobilise people to the markets, the security to patrol the streets and everywhere, because you know these boys and you know their parents.
“Any further killing(s), I will go after the parents of these boys. Let them see how painful it is — spilling the blood of innocent people because you are promised heaven and earth.
“You allow people to import criminals and they are in the bushes killing our people and you are keeping quiet. Enough is enough. I have charged Ebubeagu to roll out today and do their work.”
