Victor EzejaAn Igbo socio-cultural group, known as Anya-Ndi-Igbo, has called on the Nigerian government, state governors and community leaders to show more commitment in tackling insecurity in the Southeast.
The group decried the state of insecurity in the region in recent years which manifests in the form of kidnapping, destruction of properties, killings by the infamous ‘unknown gunmen’, herders and violent non-state actors.
These, according to the group, have collectively created an unbearable situation for residents and travellers in the region.
The group, in statement signed its excos, urged governors of the five Southeast states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo to use their constitutional powers as chief security officers “to do the needful, as the Governments of Benue, Rivers and South Western States have done to arrest insecurity in their respective territories.”
“Governors in the South East should use their membership of the Nigeria Police Council to demand changes to increase the operational efficiency of the Police,” the group stated.
“Anya-Ndi-Igbo advises South East Governors to go the extra mile in addressing security challenges and make security the topmost priority of their administration in order to reverse the current ugly trend.
“They should use all legitimate powers to stabilise and secure their States from further descent into chaos and work with federal authorities to restore normalcy.”
The group urged the Federal Government to adopt an open-door policy and engage in dialogue with genuine agitating groups as a way of gaining understanding of the issues fueling the conflict and to ensure that there is peace in the Southeast and the entire country as the 2023 general elections approach.
It also appealed to heads of security agencies to collaborate with genuine groups, community leaders for maintenance of law and order.
“We urge all communities in collaboration with the State Governments and the Nigeria Police Force to revive and strengthen their customary methods of protecting their communities to safeguard themselves on a continuing basis.
“We request the Association of Igbo Town Unions (ASITU) to coordinate the implementation in the spirit of their continued selfless contribution to the welfare of Ala-Igbo.”
The sociocultural group also urged religious and traditional leaders to support the effort of making the region safe.
It further added that Southeast state governments should create what it called “Internal Security Desk” in the ministries of Justice to cooperate with the police and other security agencies to agree on approaches to solving the security problems in the region.
It also suggested that Coroners should be appointed in every Magisterial District in Southeast to take up cases of unlawful killings, especially, those ‘unknown’ persons, killed by security forces for proper inquest and to serve justice.
“All sudden deaths must be fully accounted for, by the Coroner. Coroners’ inquests, properly conducted, will increase justice system visibility and transparency, thereby winning public confidence,” the group advocated.
It concluded by calling on citizens of the region to think of creative ways of reversing the ugly security situation, noting that everything would be alright once the people are resolved to rise up and face the current challenges.
“Anya-Ndi-Igbo calls on all the sons and daughters of Alaigbo to think about creative and constructive ways of reversing the prevailing security, economic and political challenges in Alaigbo as a solemn duty. It is not time for ambivalence or complicit silence. We will succeed once we resolve to rise to the challenges before us,” the group advised.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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