Residents of Ezillo in Ishielu local government area, Ebonyi state, were in shock after suspected robbers vandalised a major water facility, carting away equipment worth millions of naira and leaving security personnel wounded.
The attack, which targeted the Ezillo Water Scheme, reportedly made the assailants open fire on local vigilante members assigned to guard the facility.
Reacting to the development, the traditional ruler of Ezillo, Innocent Chima, condemned the incident, describing it as both unfortunate and a direct setback to ongoing development efforts in the state’s water sector.
He said the destruction undermines the progress made by the Ebonyi state government in ensuring access to clean and reliable water for residents.
“We will not fold our arms while a few lawless individuals destroy what belongs to everyone,” the monarch declared while insisting that those responsible must be tracked down and brought to justice.
He further called on security agencies to strengthen their presence in the area, stating the need to support local vigilantes who continue to risk their lives protecting public assets
During a visit to the damaged facility, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Magnus Nkah, stated that he received a distress call informing him of the attack.
Nkah described the shooting of security personnel and theft of government property as alarming, noting that the incident highlights the urgent need for enhanced security collaboration.
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