S’East governors meet, throw weight behind region’s security outfit, Ebube Agu  

Governors of the south-east region met on Sunday throwing their weight behind the region’s security outfit, Ebube Agu.

They also gave the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, 10 days to set up a committee to address “unfair treatment” of Igbo people.

The meeting was held in the Enugu government house, following spates of insecurity  in the region.

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Aside the governors, present at the meeting were security operatives, traditional rulers and religious leaders.

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Announcing the decision of the governors while addressing journalists, David Umahi, governor of Ebonyi, also noted that the newly established security outfit of the region — Ebube Agu — will work closely with security agencies to restore peace in the affected states.

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A communique issued at the end of the meeting  notes that  “South-east governors and leaders re-stated the adoption of a common joint security outfit called ‘Ebube Agu’, with her regional headquarters in Enugu. ‘Ebube Agu’ will work with the police and other security agencies in her operations to protect lives and property in south-east..

“We agreed on the structure and operational modalities of ‘Ebube Agu’ and to set up an advisory board for the security outfit. The honourable attorney-general 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 ‘Ebube Agu’ outfit.

The meeting directed Ohaneze Ndigbo president to immediately form two committees: South-east peace and reconciliation committee to engage our people for the peace and security of our people and her visitors; strategy and welfare committee to engage and protect our people, especially those who are being unfairly treated.

“These committees must become functional within the next 10 days from this date.”

The governors maintained their support for restructuring and state police, adding that “a committee has been set up to work out acceptable modalities and submit them to NEC in its next meeting”.

They condemned the attack on the country home of Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo and urged the federal government to “fish out the perpetrators and ensure their prosecution”.