7- MAN COMMITTEE SET UP BY THE SOUTH-EAST GOVERNORS’ FORUM TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED CLASHES IN THE ZONE

The Committee is to report its findings to an emergency meeting of the Forum scheduled to hold on Friday, this week at which all issues in the zone will be discussed.

A Statement by the Director General of the Forum Secretariat, Professor Simon UchennaOrtuanya indicates that the attention of the Forum has been drawn to some reports alleging that South-East Governors have taken a position on the issue.

It states that some of the Governors including the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi has been on Agric Economic Summit outside the country but have cut their mission for the emergency meeting.

According to the statement, the Chief of Army Staff has volunteered to attend the meeting.

It notes that the South East Governors have been in touch with the Military Leadership which says that the presence of the Army in the Zone is to curtail the high wave of crime and public execution of innocent citizens of South-East especially in worship centres and has nothing to do with agitations of some youths.

The statement advises the people to remain calm and law abiding, with confidence in the ability of the Governors to resolve all issues amicably.  It maintains that first hand information is needed from both sides for a definite approach towards solving the problem.

The statement assures Nigerians of their safety in the South-East zone, stressing that there cannot be any molestation of any body in the area.

NNEKA UGWUANYI