A new regional security joint outfit for the South east zone has emerged. It is known as ‘EBUBEAGU’, with its headquarters at Enugu, Enugu State.
This forms part of the communique read after the security meeting held on Sunday, April 11, 2021 at government house, Owerri, Imo State.
The communique which was read by the chairman, South east governors forum, and governor of Ebonyi state, Engr. David Umahi, unequivocally among other things, condemned terrorism and banditry in any part of Nigeria, particularly in the south east; the burning of police stations; attacking custodial centres with unlawful release of inmates; and killings.
The communique said the new security outfit for the zone will coordinate the activities of the vigilante groups set up by the various states of the region.
According to the communique, the south east are on the same page with Federal government in fighting to flush out bandits and terrorists in the country.
Other issues agreed by the South east governors in the meeting include: to galvanise relevant stakeholders, the political class, the business community, bureaucrats, and intelligentsia toward providing all necessary supports to security operatives in the five states of the south east to fight criminals.
“That the political leadership in the Southeast has resolved to bring together all the arsenals at their command, as one united zone, to fight and flush out criminals and terrorists from the zone.
“That the heads of all the security agencies in the southeast have resolved to exchange intelligence in a seamless, effective new order that will help to checkmate crime in the zone.
“That to fast-track crime-busting in the southeast, the heads of security agencies have been mandated to draw up a comprehensive list of their logistics and material needs for sustainable success in the fight against criminality, for the immediate provision by the leadership of the southeast”.
The communique, further stated that a Committee made up of security personnel, government officials and relevant stakeholders are to be set up to coordinate and monitor the implementation of the southeast joint security platform.
The communique applauded the initiative of the Southeast security summit and to make it a statutory summit that will convene every quarter while its hosting shall rotate among the five southeast states.
Also contained in the communique include; to maintain a joint security vigilante for the Southeast otherwise known as ‘Ebubeagu Joint Security Network’.
“The meeting appreciated the formation of Southeast joint security outfit named Ebubeagu Headquarters in Enugu to coordinate our vigilante in the South east.
“The South East Governors requested the Acting IGP to stop the influx of IGP monitory units but to allow CPS and State and Zonal commands to handle their cases.
“Meeting approves that the acting IGP and other security chiefs do invite the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo and CAN to find out the reason for increasing insecurity of the South east.
“The Meeting agreed that military policing in the South East should be adequately funded and become effective.
“Meeting agreed that open grazing has been banned and security agencies should implement the ban.
“The meeting encouraged a peaceful coexistence of farmers and herders to allow Governors to succeed in the fight against criminality”.
The South east security meeting was attended by all the governors of the five states of the south east region, including the national leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
