The governors of the South East geo-political zone have raised the alarm over the spate of kidnappings and wanton killings in the zone, calling on the Federal Government to come to their aid in providing security in the area, bearing in mind that elections are around the corner.
The governors agreed to set up a 24-hour joint patrol on all the major highways within the South East, especially during the Christmas season to curb the escalated insecurity in the zone.
In a meeting attended by Governors Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); Dave Umahi of Ebonyi; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu; Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim and Placid Njoku of Imo State, in Enugu yesterday, the governors also maintained that political solution was a way of resolving the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s issue.
The governors used the forum to clear the air on the Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Obi’s statement in Kaduna that the southeast governors formed the Eastern Security Network, ESN. The governors rather stated that what they formed was Ebubeagu and Forest Guards.
They also promised to assist the 2022 flood victims and urged the federal government to help in returning the displaced persons to their homes as water recedes in different parts of affected communities in the southeast zone.
In the communique read by the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, the southeast Governors said: “South East Governors decried the state of insecurity in the region. Our economic activities have come to a halt while kidnapping and wanton killing have become the order of the day. Southeast Governors call on the Federal Government to come to our aid in providing security in the zone bearing in mind that elections are around the corner.
“Meanwhile, South East Governors have agreed to set up a 24-hour Joint Patrol on all major highways within the South East, especially during the Christmas season.
Floods
The South East governors also agreed to put funds together to further assist the victims of flooding in the five states of the zone and went further to “plead with the Federal Government to initiate action in the dredging of rivers in the South East, to ameliorate the destruction of houses, farmlands, and properties.
“We commend the States and the Federal Government on efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the victims of the recent flood menace in the country. We hope, however, that a long-term solution is desirable. Southeast Governors have decided to put funds together to further assist the victims of flooding in our five states in the South East.
“We, also plead with the Federal Government to please initiate action in the dredging of rivers in the South East, to ameliorate the destruction of houses, farmlands, and properties. We request the federal government to come to the aid of the victims in terms of rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons.”
On the purported statement that it was the South East governors that formed Eastern Security Network (ESN), Gov. Umahi denied the allegation stating that “South East Governors Forum jointly formed Ebubeagu and Forest Guards, not ESN. So, it is not correct for any person to allude to the fact that South East governors created ESN.”
On the issue of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the governors, who reiterated their belief in a political solution, said that they are watching with keen interest, the developments concerning Kanu’s case viz-a-viz the Court rulings.
“South East Governors are watching with keen interest, the developments concerning the case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu viz-a-viz the Court rulings. However, we believe that a political solution is still possible in this circumstance.”
On Governor Soludo who was joining for the first time: “South East Governors Forum congratulated and welcomed His Excellency, the Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Prof. Charles Soludo, who was represented by His Deputy, His Excellency, Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim.
Former Enugu SSG, many others set free
Also Saturday, the former Secretary to the Enugu State Government, SSG Dr. Dan Shere, was set free by his abductors.
Also released were several University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, students who were also kidnapped along the Ugwogo/Opi by-pass.
Shere was abducted on Thursday alongside other road users and passengers.
However, Shere and the other captives were released on Saturday evening, which caused excitement throughout the entire town of Nsukka Local Government Area of the state.
Residents trooped to his Opi residence where they celebrated his freedom.
Recall that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State visited the scene of the incident on Friday and gave directives to clear the whole bush with immediate effect.
