The Commissioner for the Ministry of Internal Security, Hon. Prince Etta Uka Ude, has reiterated his ministry’s commitment to ensuring that Ebonyi State becomes a crime-free state under his watch.
Hon. Prince Etta Uka Ude declared this on Wednesday, during a press briefing in his office at the Old Government House in Abakaliki.
The Security Boss stated that the reason the state is enjoying peace and the citizens can sleep with their two eyes closed without any harassment or intimidation is because of his synergy with all other security agencies in combating crime in the state.
Prince Etta Uka Ude, meanwhile, lauded Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for his ingenuity in handling all situations concerning peace initiatives in the state, appreciating him for providing all the finance and logistics needed for the security of the state.
He therefore commended the Neighbourhood Security Watch for their determination and dedication in carrying out the security work, saying that they were the tools behind the achievements so far recorded, describing their efforts as great.
He encouraged them to continue and never slacken for a better tomorrow, noting that to whom much is given, much is expected of him.
In his words, “I don’t know whether you have an idea that when you come out here in the night like those of us who will come out to move around these places, you will notice that everywhere will be calm and very peaceful.
“The only people you will see on the road are these young boys called the Neighbourhood Watch, and they are actively doing their job. They are not asking whether what they are doing is praised by anybody or not, but they are doing it anxiously with full determination, and I tell them today that they are great.”
The Hon. Commissioner further expressed joy over the court judgement the ministry obtained in favour of the Ebonyi State Government by the Federal High Court 4, Abakaliki, against Joseph Chigozie and 11 others. Describing it as VICTORY FOR THE STATE.
“On the 30th of August, 2024, at odd hours of the night, the gallant men of the Neighbourhood Security Watch, while on their night patrol, arrested one Mr Joseph Chigozie and 11 others at the scene of the crime at the Abakaliki Shopping Mall, vandalising the cable wire that connects water and electricity to the shopping mall and its environs.
“After the arrest, the Ministry of Internal Security handed them over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.
“They were arraigned in court, and the trial continued until judgement was delivered on Tuesday, 10th February, 2026, by Justice Franklin Edem of the Federal High Court 4 in favour of the Ministry of Internal Security, Ebonyi State.
“The defendants, Joseph Chigozie and 11 others, were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment in the following order:
8 of them were convicted for the offence of conspiracy and sentenced to 5 years’ imprisonment each, with an option of a fine of ₦250,000 each.
“Also, 3 of them were convicted for the offence of vandalism and stealing and sentenced to 14 years, while 3 of them were convicted for the offence of stealing and sentenced to 7 years imprisonment, respectively.
“The 4 no. stolen items that were recovered from the defendants were released and handed over to the Ministry of Internal Security, which include a Sumo pumping machine, armoured cable wire, a solar panel, and high-tension coated cable.”
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