Cutlass attack unacceptable, we condemn it, says Abia agency DG

The Abia State Environmental Protection Agency on Monday condemned the use of a cutlass by one of its operatives on a resident, which resulted in serious injury, and warned the public to comply with environmental laws.

Addressing the press in his office in Umuahia, the General Manager of ASEPA, Ambrose Jonah, said the agency had taken the incident very seriously.

He stated, “We totally condemned what happened on Saturday. No matter the level of provocation, we are not supposed to pull cutlass to cut someone. We have condemned this in totality.”

The incident occurred last Saturday around Ekwuruke Street in Umuahia, where some youths had confronted an ASEPA team enforcing environmental regulations.

Jonah explained the circumstances leading to the injury, noting that the official involved was not part of the operational team that day.

He said, “It is very unfortunate that it happened that way. They (ASEPA team) didn’t call the police. Rather, this particular guy that caused this incident was not even among the team working on that very particular day. And I also want you to realize that we have disbanded the Monitoring Team in Umuahia Zone.

“We only try to have about 13 of them now, which we have picked, because we see them as people that are responsible and reasonable enough. But very unfortunate that this guy was just passing by and saw where they (his colleagues) were having heated arguments between the residents and that of ASEPA. He decided to intervene along the line.”

Jonah further stressed the agency’s official protocol, emphasizing that ASEPA does not operate with weapons.

“Somebody like me, being the DG of ASEPA, has been attacked several times. All I normally do is just to invite the police. And one of our mode of operation says that whenever we have such an attack out there, we should involve the police.

“I wouldn’t tell exactly what transpired, because I was not at the scene, but was told that he had to pull his cutlass from his own private vehicle. In ASEPA, we don’t operate with weapons,” he asserted.

He also used the opportunity to remind residents of the importance of environmental compliance, linking the agency’s work to the welfare of the community.

“Inasmuch as I condemn the cutting committed, I will as well advise the general public that ASEPA is for our own good. Keeping the environment clean is for our own good. We are not harmful. When the environment is clean, it is in the glory of Abia State and Abians.

“So, I am very sorry for what happened. And I have taken the responsibility of taking care of the guy. I was there at the hospital throughout yesterday. This morning, I have been there, and by the special grace of God, the hand is now working after the operation. So, that is it,” the ASEPA boss noted.

Jonah urged a collective effort from both ASEPA and residents to maintain cleanliness

He stated, “Keeping the environment clean should be a general effort, and not only for the ASEPA. And when ASEPA is out to enforce, they (residents) should help ASEPA to ensure that the environment is clean.”

He also confirmed that disciplinary action had been taken, with about five staff members involved now in police custody.

“I have allowed the police to do their investigation,” he said, highlighting that due process would determine further action.