Southeast Governors have said that the arrest of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not responsible for the deteriorating insecurity in the region.
The Governors insisted that criminal elements, rather than agitators, were responsible for the violent crimes in the region.
Chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum Hope Uzodimma stated these while addressing journalists after the forum’s meeting in Enugu on Thursday.
When asked what the Governors were doing to free Kanu from detention and end the insecurity situation in the region, Uzodimma said: “I don’t know how you relate the name of Nnamdi Kanu with the violence, kidnappings, beheading of human beings, the burning down of homes and palaces of traditional rulers to Nnamdi Kanu.
“But, if you have any evidence, please you may wish to approach us after this session”.
Also, in a three-point communiqué read out to newsmen, the Southeast governors insisted that perpetrators of the insecurity in the region and their sponsors were criminals and should not be seen as legitimate agitators.
According to the communiqué: “We wish to state categorically that the perpetrators of the insecurity in our region and their sponsors are criminals and should not be seen as legitimate agitators.
“Therefore, upon arrest, they should be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the land”.
The forum firmly resolved to fight insecurity decisively in the region individually and collectively, in partnership with the federal government and other stakeholders.
It commended the security agencies for their cooperation thus far and encouraged them not to relent.
The Governors, who met with the chief of naval staff, and other security chiefs in their meeting, further resolved to hold the security and economic summit on a date to be announced soon.
Those in attendance are; Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who is the chairman of the forum; Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State; Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State; Alex Otti of Abia State and the host, Peter Mbah of Enugu, the host.
On the plan to relaunch Ebubeagu in the region, Uzodimma said, “That has to do with the details of the programme of the forum of governors working in partnership with the federal government to deal with the insecurity in the region. When the details are out, we will let you know”.
