Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia
After an exhaustive closed door meeting with leaders of religious, traditional and sociopolitical institutions in the South East geopolitical zone, the Governors in the zone on Sunday in Enugu declared that the Ebubeagu Security outfit will work with the police and other security agencies to fight insecurity in the region.
In a communiqué made available to Journalists in Enugu after the closed door meeting held in Government House, Enugu, the South East Governors with the leaders, explained that Ebubeagu will do well if it works in synergy with the already established security outfits in the country.
The governors had on April 11, 2021 announced the formation of Ebubeagu security outfit. It was during a similar meeting held in Owerri, Imo State capital to be funded jointly by the five southern states.
Reading the communiqué after the meeting on Sunday in Enugu, the Chairman of South East Governors Forum and the Ebonyi State governor, Chief David Umahi stated that the South East governors and leaders at the meeting restated the adoption of a common joint security outfit called Ebebuagu with its regional headquarters in Enugu.
The outfit, he added, will work with the police and other security agencies in its operation to protect lives and properties in the South East.
“We agreed on the structure and operational modalities of Ebubeagu and to set up an Advisory Board for it.
“The Hon Attorney Generals and Commissioners for Justice of the South East States have been directed to work with the joint security committee to come up with the amendment of the existing state laws to reflect the new Ebubeagu outfit”, he informed.
He submitted that the meeting also directed Ohanaeze Ndigbo President-General to immediately form two committees which are South East Peace and Reconciliation Committee “to engage our people for the peace and security of our people and its visitors as well as Strategy and Welfare Committee to engage and protect our people especially those who are being unfairly treated.
“These committees must become functional within 10 days from date”, he emphasised.
Governor Umahi declared “The meeting is in support of Restructuring of the country, the setting up of State Police and other national issues as discussed in the last NEC meeting.
A committee has been set up to work out acceptable modalities and submit its report to NEC in its next meeting”, he informed.
The governors used the forum to condemn the attacks on the country home of the Governor Hope Uzodinma and other infrastructures and sympathized with the governor “on the unfortunate incident”.
The Forum therefore called on the federal government to fish out the perpetrators and ensure their prosecution.
The South East leaders reemphasised their commitments to the Law banning Open Grazing in the South East geopolitical zone and urged security and local vigilantes to enforce the ban in the South East forthwith
The communiqué further agreed in the immediate implementation of various EndSARS Youth Empowerment programmes given to the zone.
In attendance also were Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Deputy Governor of Imo, Mr Placid Njoku.
Others are the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South-East among others.
