From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The Givernors of the South East zone yesterday clarified that their newly formed security outfit known as Ebubeagu will work with the police and other security agencies to fight insecurity in the region.
This was contained in communique made available to Jounalists in Enugu shortly after a closed door meeting held in Government House Enugu by South East Governors with leaders of the religious, traditional and socio-political institutions in the zone.
In a communique issued after their meeting on Sunday in Enugu, the Chairman of South East Governors Forum who also doubles as the Ebonyi state governor, Chief David Umahi said “ South East governors and leaders restated the adoption of a common joint security outfit called ebebuagu with her regional headquarters in Enugu.Ebubeagu will work with the police and other security agencies in her operation to protect lives and properties in south East.
“We agreed on the structure and operational modalities of Ebubeagu and to set up an advisory board for the security outfit.
“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 said.
He stated further that the meeting also directed ohanaeze Ndigbo President to immediately form two committee which are south East peace and reconciliation committee “ to engage our people for the peace and seciuritu of our prople and her visitors as well as strategy and welfare committee to engage and protect our people especially those who are being fairly tested. These committees must become functional within 10 days from date”.
He said “The meeting is in support of restructuring 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 abs submit to nec in its next meeting.
THE Governors also condemned the attacks on the country home of the Governor of IMO state, senator Hope Uzodinma and othe infrastructure and dymphatize with the Governor on the unfortunate incident.
He thereby called on the federal govenent to fish our the perpetrators abs ensue their prosecution.
The South East leaders restateed their commitments to state of Law banning open grazing in the south East and urge security and local vigilantes to enforce the ball in states in south East.
South East governors according to the communiques also agreed in the implementation of various ENDSARS youth empowerment programmed in the south East states as soon as possible.
Also in attendance during the meeting are Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia 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, South-East among others.
