SOUTHEAST GOV FORUM BEGINS MOVE TO OPERATIONALIZE REGIONAL SECURITY OUTFIT

Reporter : OKECHUKWU EZEONA

The South East Governors and other stakeholders in the zone, including the clergy, traditional rulers, Ohaneze Ndigbo and the joint security Committee have restated the adoption of a regional security outfit “Ebubeagu” with headquarters in Enugu.

This was contained in the communique issued by the governors and stakeholders at the end of their forum in Enugu, as presented by Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, who is the chairman of the forum.

The forum also stated that the security outfit, “Ebubeagu,” would work with the police and other security agencies in her operations to protect lives and property in the zone.

Other agreements reached include the structure and operational modalities of Ebubeagu and the setting up of advisory board for the security outfit.

The forum stated that Attorneys General of and Commissioners for Justice of the southeast states were directed to coordinate with the joint security Committee and come up with the ammendment of the existing laws to reflect the new outfit.

The forum voiced its support for restructuring and the setting up of state police.

It condemned the attacks on the country house of the Governor of Imo so State, Senator Hope Uzodimma and other state infrastructure, urging the Federal Gvernment to fish the perpetrators for prosecution.

The southeast leaders restated their commitment to the laws banning open grazing in the zone, urging security agencies and the local vigilantes to enforce the ban.

They equally agreed on the implementation of the various EndSARS youth empowerment programmes in the zone.