The governor Ebonyi state, David Umahi, has declared his support for police’s “Operation Restore Peace”, charging security agencies in the state to defend themselves against armed aggressors who attack them and destroy their facilities.

Mr Umahi gave the charge on Friday in Abakaliki while receiving the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the South-East zone, Joseph Egbunike, in his office.

The governor reiterated his support for the ‘Operation Restore Peace’ a police initiative in the zone and charged security agents to engage anyone who attacked them.

“It is wrong for you to be holding a gun and someone will attack, kill and snatch your gun.

“You do not need anyone’s permission to defend yourselves.

“I state clearly that if a youth has the courage to attack a security agent with a gun, such security agent should shoot to defend himself if he can.

“I have made this point severally and will never regret doing so,” he said.

He noted that the security personnel were human beings like others in society and also people’s fathers and mothers.

The governor, however, complained about the shortage of police personnel in the state and urged the DIG to post more to the state for adequate security.

“You should not allow your personnel posted to the state to leave because we need them and will do everything possible to accommodate them,” he said.

In his remark, the DIG thanked the governor for his reception and noted that he was in the state to oversee the activities of the “Operation Restore Peace” initiative.

“Dialogue and diplomacy will solve all issues of marginalisation, injustice, inequality, among others and this is exemplified with the prevailing peace in Europe,” he said.

While charging the people to cooperate with the police to solve the prevailing security challenges in the zone and country, he said that ‘the challenging days in the country would soon be over.”

In the past weeks, police divisions in Ebonyi State have been attacked by unknown gunmen and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices torched.