Regional Security Network For Southeast Underway – Gov Umahi

Following the increasing wave of crimes in the Southeast region of the country, a security network will soon be unveiled for the region, according to Gov Dave Umahi.

Umahi, who is the chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum, stated this Tuesday while briefing newsmen in Abakalili. He said the uniforms and vehicles for the regional security network would be launched in no distant time, adding that the name of the outfit had not been decided.

Quoting him, “The Southeast governors are presently circulating samples of uniforms, which are going to be common for the entire Southeast. We are also on display of vehicles, which will also be common for the entire Southeast. We have arranged for training and retraining of all the security outfits of the zone. In the few weeks to come, we are going to roll out these uniforms and vehicles to further deepen our efforts and security architecture in the entire Southeast.”

Umahi also regretted the increasing cases of crimes in Ebonyi State, and vowed to bring the perpetrators to book. He also made a case for peaceful co-existence between Fulani herdsmen and host communities in the state, noting that any breakdown of law and order in the state ‘will consume everybody’ because of possible reprisals across the country.

According to him, “Anybody that is causing problem must be arrested and dealt with. There is growing concern of security in the state, and it has a lot of political undertone. The idea is to discredit the governor of the state. If not properly handled, it will lead to attacks on our brothers and sisters. We have been leaving peacefully with the Fulani herdsmen in the state.

“We have an agreement with the Fulani herdsmen for peaceful coexistence. The issue of IPOB and Fulani herdsmen is sensitive. It will ignite crisis for the whole of this country if not properly handled. We have over 11 million Igbo in the North, and also three million in the West. This issue of igniting crisis against the Fulani should be condemned by all. It will consume everybody. The issue of security is very serious.

“There is an orchestrated plan to portray Ebonyi State and the governor in a negative light. I don’t know why searchlight is turned on me. What is going on is beyond politics and capable of causing national crisis. We had a meeting with founding fathers of the state – Dr Sam Egwu, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

There should be ceasefire. Government officials should not attack dignitaries in the state. I have accepted the decision of the founding fathers. Let’s us face our party and governance. Southeast governors had a meeting on security.”