By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Umahi, has directed the Ebonyi State Police Commissioner, CP Sule Maku, and the Commandant of the Nkwagu Military Cantonment to ensure the dismantling of all road blocks in the state.

Umahi gave the directive while addressing #EndSARs protesters who stormed the Old Government House Abakaliki in their thousands to protest police brutality in Ebonyi State.

The Governor also urged the youths to resist any form of extortion from policemen in the state gave out his mobile phone number to the protesters to enable them contact him if any case of extortion.

He said that the State Government would today (Tuesday) set up judicial panel of enquiry to look into the activities of SARS personal with a view of bringing to book all those involved in brutality and killings.

He directed that all tertiary institutions in the state must resume by Wednesday, October 21, 2020, adding that any lecturer who fails to resume would be sacked.

Umahi regretted that while the lecturers stayed at home without carrying out their duties, parents and students were at the receiving end of the strike embarked by the lecturers.

He assured the protesters that he would address the exercises of police officers at the Ekeaba Police Station and also promised to join the protesters today to protest against the brutality of SARS personal in the state.

Noting that their protest is constitutional, Umahi urged the police and other security agents not to molest the protesters, adding that such molestation would aggravate the already existing problem in the country.

Earlier, one of the protesters Barr. Steve Ugama, briefed the Governor on the activities of police officers at the Ekeaba Police Station and called on him to urgently call the personal of the Division to order.

Ugama further alleged that while they were carrying out their peaceful protest, a police officer, one Chidi Mishack, took their pictures. He urged the Governor to ensure the security of lives and property of the protesters.

The protesters blocked the road leading to the Old Government House and the Ebonyi State Police Headquarters, Abakaliki, from 10am in the morning till 3:30 p.m. when the Governor arrived and addressed them.

The over six hours roadblock resulted to both vehicular and human traffic within the area as motorists were forced to take alternative routes.

Update news