Governors of five South-East states; Abia, Enugu, Imo, Anambra and Ebonyi, on Thursday attended the maiden South-East Regional Security Summit held in Umuahia, Abia State, to address the region’s worsening security challenges.
The summit, hosted by the Federal Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-East), was convened by the Minister of Defence, Major General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.), under the theme, “Collaborative Approaches to Strengthening Security and Regional Stability”.
Conceived as a platform to strengthen collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, security agencies and host communities, the summit focused on tackling security threats that transcend state boundaries through intelligence sharing, coordinated operations and community engagement.
The summit comes amid growing concerns over kidnapping, attacks on security personnel, the violent enforcement of illegal sit-at-home orders, armed criminality and other security threats that continue to undermine economic activities and public safety across the South-East.
Declaring the summit open, the Minister of Defence and convener, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.), said the gathering was designed to foster stronger collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, security agencies and communities in developing coordinated strategies for restoring peace, improving intelligence sharing and enhancing regional stability.
Gen Musa appealed to the Governors and other leaders of the South East to collaborate with the federal government in ensuring a lasting security and peace in the South East.
The Minister who described the South East as a place of economic vibrancy and development, lamented that the activities of some criminal activities, including kidnappers and other violent crimes are posing some challenges to the South East region.
He noted that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is interested in the peace and stability of the South East and other regions, which he said, made the Ministry of defense to convey the security summit.
Gen. Musa who noted that a new strategy is being applied in tackling insecurity in the country, urged the Governors and other leaders of the South East to work in united focus to make the zone very safe for citizens.
The Minister urged the South East leaders to use the summit to list out to the federal government, their security challenges and provide credible information and ideas that could address youth restiveness.
Delivering his speech at the summit, the host Governor, Alex Otti of Abia State said that the South East Governors are committed to making the region peaceful and secure.
Governor Otti who said that his administration is collaborating with security agencies in making Abia uncondicive for criminals, urged the people to see security as everyone’s business and to shun crimes.
In their goodwill messages, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, represented by his deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai; Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State by his deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim; Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Moses Ije Odunwa; and Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, represented by his Special Adviser on Security, Brig.-Gen. Joseph Chima Ogbonna (retd.), promised to sustain their collaboration with community leaders and the federal government in security their States.
Participants at the event deliberated on practical strategies for strengthening inter-state security cooperation, intelligence gathering, community policing and other measures aimed at restoring lasting peace and stability across the South-East.
The maiden South-East Regional Security Summit which brought together security chiefs, federal government officials, lawmakers, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to explore collaborative solutions to the persistent insecurity confronting the region was attended by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio,represented by Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, represented by Maj. Hilary Nnabukwu.
Other dignitaries in attendance include the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu; the Minister of information, Science and Technology; senior military and security officers; traditional rulers; and featured a keynote address by the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (retd.).
