Group decries spate of insecurity In Southern Nigeria

The Southern Solidarity Alliance (SSA) has tasked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and southern state Governors to take decisive steps in taming the already festering spate of insecurity in Southern Nigeria.

The call was made in a statement jointly signed by the group’s National Coordinator Ndubuisi Okafor and the Chairman, Media Committee Ena Ighalo, on the dastard killing of 16 villagers in Ebonyi state.

“President Ahmed Tinubu and the Southern Governors should take the issue of insecurity of lives and property very seriously in order to ensure peace, law, order and good development in all parts of Southern Nigeria.

The statement reads in part; “ It’s unfathomable that up till now, the terrorists behind the murder of over 16 villagers of Ebonyi State are yet to be arrested and put to trial.

“ They descended on and murdered men and women and today still obviously walk freely, may be they are at present targeting their next victims, who they cowardly usually see in helpless old men and women sleeping in their villages.

“We have also seen images and videos from uncivil wars in Imo State, particularly in Orsu area, where villagers are lamenting their woes; criminals based in their forests have overran the land, they kidnap, maim, kill, and even decapitate their slaughtered victims.

“In one of the viral videos the head of their victim was severed, while in another the legs and hands were cut off.

“Yet in another the lady’s head was cut off, followed by her private part. It’s hard to believe that these perpetrators are part of the 21st century and not barbarians and cannibals of the stone ages..

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“In that video, they had mass grave!!! These were executed, recorded and sent out to circulate in the social media, without any detection, arrest and trial.

“Also in another, a young man pushing his motorcycle was accosted by a quasi security group.

“One of those, dropped a bullet on him in his trail, upon which they descended on him.

“What at first looked like slapping, kicking, flogging, hitting with guns, finally ended with instant gunshot and death.

“In another video a youngman bemoaned the tragedy that had befallen Orsu, his home village, where over five thousand indigenes have been allegedly killed, including his direct siblings.
The group also mirrored the effect of the horrors, victims of the ugly but widely spreading trend encountered, citing how unsafe it is now to travel on land.

“To travel on land now has become a journey into the grave unknown. Prince Eniola Ojajuni, the Afenifere youth leader is held in captivity by kidnappers.

“Reportedly abducted between Ondo and Kogi States. The campaign is on to raise the ransom. Where is really safe in the South?

“President & C in C of the Armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Governors of the affected States, these are indictments of the security system in place.

“We call on the security agencies to please reinvent and be proactive to nip these gory crimes in the bud.

The group however, made seven pointed demands for the State governments in Southern Nigeria which includes; Adoption of technology-driven approaches using AI, security cameras, drones already in existence in Enugu state.

An interagency collaboration, whereby they report directly to the office of the President.

Adoption of rules of engagement by the law enforcement, quasi enforcement and security forces in the insecurity ravaged parts of Southern Nigeria. Enough of jungle justice in our villages!

Establishment of state police. The constitutional amendment should be consummated and fast-forwarded based on emergency insecurity situation at hand, which local policing system would nip in the bud, before it could fester.

Working democracy, which will engender social justice and working institutions, which will eliminate the abuse and brutalization of citizens by those appointed to take care of them.

Massive emphasis on production by President and our governors, using various empowerment instruments to engage the youths and stimulate production and economy. So that there would be no idle hands for the “devil” to use.

Southern Security Summit has become imperative, to brainstorm, strategize and share ideas, in order to arrest this terrible drift. Governors of the Southern States are here called upon to lead the way.