The Ebonyi State Government has rejected reports claiming that Governor Francis Nwifuru ordered the arrest of five commissioners due to delays in two state housing projects.
Chief Donatus Ilang, Chairman of the Ebonyi Executive Council (EXCO) Committee responsible for overseeing the housing projects, called the allegations “false and unfounded.”
Ilang, who also serves as the Commissioner for Border, Peace, and Conflict Resolution, clarified in a statement issued in Abakaliki that no commissioners had been arrested, and such reports were entirely fabricated.
He further explained that while the government had expressed concern over the delays in the housing projects, no extreme actions, such as arrests, had been taken.
The housing projects involve the construction of 140 units for communities in Izzo and Amaze in the Ishielu Local Government Area, which were displaced by the Ezilo/Ezza Ezilo communal crisis.
Ilang emphasized that the state government had urged the commissioners to provide the necessary information to help address the delays and resolve issues with contractors.
He also reaffirmed Governor Nwifuru’s commitment to completing the projects as part of a broader initiative to support the affected communities.
The Ebonyi State Police Command has also confirmed the false nature of the claims.
In an interview with NAN, DSP Joshua Ukandu, the Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed that no commissioners had been arrested, reiterating that the allegations were untrue.
Ukandu clarified that while the governor had expressed frustration over the delays, no legal action had been taken against any officials.
