The Chairman, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Mr. Emmanuel Ajah yesterday directed the ban on all forms of public gathering in Ihie Autonomous Community from 26th to 30th of September 2024 following rising security challenges in the local government.
In a statement signed by the Council Boss and made available to newsmen, he said that the ban was necessitated by serious security threats to the peaceful co-existence of the people of the community. The Council Boss also directed the ban on any form of media coverage, musical entertainment, and cultural display within the period.
The statement reads, “Due to some serious security threats to the peaceful co-existence of the people of Ihie Autonomous community and considering the rising security challenges in Ivo LGA, I regret to announce the ban on every public gathering on the 26th, 27, 28th, 29th and 30th of September 30, 2024.
“The ban is within any place in lhie Autonomous community or any of the four kindreds making up lhie. Mr. Ajah maintained that it is unhealthy to hold any public gathering amidst the hydra-headed crises rocking the community now adding that the situation is a delicate moment in the community. He noted that if the situation is not handled with utmost prudence, the brewing crisis might rupture into a community crisis.
The Council Boss noted that the ban on the intended new yam festival of the Community and any other socio-cultural activities scheduled to mark the 2024 new yam festival shall bind on the traditional ruling council, and the youth wing among others.
“No Coronation shall take place as there is no festival holding. There shall be no cultural dance, No DJ shall play, no media coverage in any gathering, no decoration of a place. He stated that any person or group of persons who violate the security order shall be treated as an enemy of the government and shall be made to face the full weight of the law.
The crisis rocking the community according to a community source who pleaded anonymity said that the Council Boss is plotting to remove the traditional ruler of the community over alleged none performance and insubordination.
The community source noted that the Chairman in his bid to frustrate the effort of the community stopped the proposed new yam festival, Coronation, and other activities lined up by the community for the new yam festival.
