Fresh tension over insecurity in south east, governors hold emergency meeting

There are indicators of intense tension over insecurity in the southeast. The recent incidence of attacks on security facilities and the killing of a deputy commander of the IPOB by the Nigerian Army had accelerated threats of fireworks and increasing insecurity in the southeast. The Saturday attack and burning of the private home of the Governor of Imo State on Saturday by gunmen had worsened the insecurity situation, attacks and counter-attacks between non-state actors and security operatives.

Since the killing of the deputy commander of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) by the Army, members of the group have been threatening there will be no peace in the region.

Meanwhile, governors of the states in the southeast, on Sunday met at the Government, House, Enugu, Enugu State, to deliberate on the rising insecurity and other issues in the southeast. The southeast governors were also anticipated to deliberate on the domestication of the regional security structure, Ebube Agu, in the five states of the zone.

The Ebube Agu structure was organized from formation to collaborate with the Nigeria Police and Nigerian military outfit in coordinating and monitoring the operations of vigilante groups in the southeast and protecting the zone.

Gunmen had struck at the residence of Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, burning his house, and killing some security aides in the early hours of Saturday.

Imo State Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, had stated that the attack was repelled by a combined team of security operatives attached to the house.

“Gallant security operatives this morning repelled an attack on the Omuma country home of the governor of Imo State, Sen Hope Uzodimma.

“At about 9 am today, Saturday, April 24th, a group of hoodlums numbering about 15 driving in a motorcade of three vehicles accompanied by a tipper loaded with used tyres, stormed the country home of the governor in Omuma,  Oru East  LGA and attempted to burn down the house.

“However, vigilant security operatives attached to the Governor’s house successfully repelled the attack and consequently minimised the damage they had planned to unleash.

“In the crossfire that ensued a few casualties were recorded.  Preliminary investigation suggests that the foiled attack may have been politically sponsored,” the Commissioner had said in a statement.

Before then, there were attacks on the Headquarters of the Imo State Police Command and the Prisons service. Subsequent attacks and burning of police stations occurred in Enugu State, Anambra and Abia states.

The communique of the southeast governors meeting was being awaited at the time of this report.