Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State on Thursday ordered the immediate arrest of some of his aides, government officials and traditional rulers from two warring communities in Ikwo Local Government Area of the state.

Umahi who gave the order in Abakaliki, the state capital during an enlarged security meeting convened over the communal clash between Ekpomaka and Inyimegu communities said he received reports that the arrested officials were actively involved in the crisis.

Among those that were arrested were the Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Fidelis Okpata, traditional rulers and other government officials from the affected local government areas present at the briefing.

The Governor thereafter directed the State Commissioner of Justice, Cletus Ofoke to obtain a court order to detain them and ordered his aide-de-camp to lock all the doors of the state executive council chambers to prevent the affected persons from leaving the chambers.

Chairman of Abakaliki Capital Territory Development Board, Mr. Frederick Udogu, the Coordinator of Ikwo South Development Centre, Mr. Eso Udogu and several others who were absent at the meeting were later arrested.

“They should remain in detention until they sign an undertaking that no further life would be lost or property destroyed in both communities,” Governor Umahi said.

“I don’t mind losing all the votes from the areas but I will not keep quiet and watch people die unnecessarily and properties destroyed due to irrelevant issues,” he added.