From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Following the recent spates of killings of security personnel and attacks on their facilities by hoodlums and unknown gun men, the Anglican Archbishop of Owerri, Eccelesiatical Province, Rt. Rev. David Onuoha, says attacks on security agencies in the South-East tantamount to strangulating and demobilising the region.
Onuoha gave the advice in an interview with newsmen at his Episcopal Villa in Ezeoke Nsu, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State shortly after his Sunday sermon that dwelled on insecurity as a threat to every Nation while passionately advised the South-East governors on the need to effectively protect the region from invasion of any kind.
The cleric, who is also the Bishop of Okigwe South Diocese, was reacting to the security challenges in Nigeria as a whole and the South-East in particular.
He expressed worry that if not checked, such security loopholes could expose the South-East to unnecessary invasion.
Onuoha noted that insecurity in Nigeria had been overwhelming but a passing phase and urged the leaders to sit up to the challenge.
The revered man of God further described the formation of the South-East security outfit code named, ‘Ebubeagu’ as belated but a welcome idea.
Onuoha appealed to the South-East governors to focus on its vision and properly equip those to be recruited into the outfit for effective result.
He described the recent attack on the Police Command and the Correctional Service Centre in Imo as unfortunate, calling for vigilance and thorough investigation to unravel those behind the ‘heinous’ crime.
Accordingly to him “I don’t know, but God is going to do it. What we are passing through now is not the end of life. This is a passing phase and I believe tomorrow will be better.
“We have long expected this outfit from the Governors of the South-East. They should equip those to be recruited so that they will be used effectively to protect this part of the world from invasion by bandits and terrorists among others.
“We look forward to a time when the incident of killing of someone in the farms, and destroying farm crops will be a thing of the past so that our people will have cause to dwell in peace and safety,” he said.
The archbishop urged youths to imbibe good behaviour and fear of God and not allow anyone use them to destroy their future.
He urged the youth also not to give up on the country by jetting out in search of greener pastures.
Onuoha said that fear, suffering, poverty and hunger that had bedeviled the society would soon be a thing of the past.
He encouraged Nigerians to remain steadfast irrespective of the challenges as God was aware and in charge.
“The youth should imbibe the culture of hard work. There are youths that are genuinely surviving in this present situation.
“They should not allow themselves to be deceived into running to other countries for ready-made money, there is no ready-made money anywhere,” the archbishop said.
