The Ebem Ohafia community in Ohafia Local Government Area, Abia State, has placed a total ban on the sale of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (cooking gas) in the Ebem market.
According to a communiqué released by the Ebem Ujurueze Palace, Ekeleugo Ebem, after an emergency session of the Council of Chiefs and Elders, the measure was described as an outright ban aimed at “prevent death and unimaginable calamity.”
Signatories to the communiqué included the paramount ruler of the Ebem Ohafia ancient kingdom, Ezie Ukoha Kalu Ukoha, the President General of EODU, Emeka Mba, Idika Kalu Uche, and Ifeanyi Okali.
The leaders also reaffirmed that “every form of cultism, gangsterism, and drug abuse” was prohibited within Ebem, effective immediately. They appealed to parents and guardians to “caution their wards,” and instructed landlords whose premises were being used for such “alleged practices” to evict those involved or face disciplinary measures.
READ ALSO: Abia Lifts Ban on NURTW Operations
“Anyone found in unlawful possession of arms will be handed over to law enforcement agencies,” the communiqué stated.
In a related decision, the community leadership gave all scrap dealers a two-week ultimatum to vacate or face “stringent disciplinary action.”
This order followed “rising reports of vandalism and breaking into property” in the area, which security assessments linked to “the activities of scrap dealers and their suppliers.”