…As Buhari Expresses Concern over Deteriorating Security Situation in South-east
…Umahi: South-east is at the ‘crossroads’
Mohammed Mohammed
The poser, which region in Nigeria is secured needs no answer as the pathetic grinding security situation keeps every Nigerian guessing as to which town, target or village will be next victim. From Southern Kaduna to Damboa in Borno or Owerri in Imo State, the narrative of weeping and gnashing of teeth after vicious attacks especially is almost the same narrative.
Recall that few days two intended military couple who had travelled to the South-east to solemnise their traditional wedding were brutally murdered in broad day light allegedly by IPOB members.
In tacit reaction to the breakdown of law and order in that region, President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abakiliki pledged that the federal government would deploy its strength to protect innocent and hardworking Nigerians from terrorists and those causing break down of law and order in the South-east region.
Mr. Femi Adesina, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, in a statement said, Buhari spoke at a meeting with South-east leaders, during his two-day state visit to Ebonyi.
The President, according to Adesina, expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the region, reiterating his directive to security agencies to ‘‘flush out’’ those perpetrating violence in the land.
‘‘I must register my deep and grave concern with regards to the deteriorating state of security affairs in this region.
‘‘In the last 48 hours, I have been informed of the latest in the round of brutal actions carried out by gun-wielding terrorists, who prey on innocent and hardworking citizens, unfortunately, these barbaric acts were visited upon those who have committed their lives to protect their fellow citizens,’’ he said.
The President paid tribute to members of the Nigerian armed forces who recently lost their lives in the region.
Responding to appeals by traditional, religious and political leaders in the region for the release of the detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, the President said:
‘‘I have listened carefully to the various appeals from the elders to the traditional leaders regarding a wide range of options, and as I have said previously this matter remains in the full purview of the courts where it will be properly adjudicated.
‘‘My worry is for our hardworking and innocent civilians, for whom life is already tough and would like to earn a decent and honest living.
‘‘There are many that fit this profile and the government owes them that obligation to protect lives and property.
‘‘I will once again repeat, no one has the right to carry an AK-47, and anyone seen in any part of the country doing so and is not a law enforcement officer is a threat to our peaceful coexistence and should be treated as such,’’ he said.
On infrastructure, the President highlighted some of his government’s achievements in the region, dismissing those peddling false narratives of lack of care and consideration for the people of the South East by this administration
The President said he was proud of the reconstruction of the runway of the Akanu Ibiam International airport and ongoing work upgrade of the International Terminal Building, assuring Ndigbo that the N200 billion Second Niger Bridge and 10km six-lane expressway in Onitsha and Asaba will be completed before the end of the year.
He added that the $5.5 million Diagnostic Centre in Umuahia is already operational.
In his remarks, Governor Dave Umahi, said President Buhari would be remembered as a man who did not use the plight of the people of the South-east to play politics but came to their rescue severally.
The Governor urged Southern leaders to work towards finding a political solution in resolving some challenging issues, warning that the region is at ‘‘crossroads.’’
‘‘On this issue of a political solution, I have never believed in IPOB’s method of operation, I disagree with them but we have gotten ourselves to a very terrible and pitiable solution. ‘‘Some of us warned that we will get to this situation and some were playing politics with it.
“Mr. President, we are at crossroads. I have been to you and I have begged you for a political solution. Surprisingly you granted that. You said our people should initiate that and at the forefront is Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer.”
Umahi, urged the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo to meet with elder statesman, Mbazuluike Amaechi, the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South-east, the Chairman of South-east traditional rulers’ council, Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer and few others to initiate the political solution.
On the 2023 elections, the Governor said he believed strongly in the demand for the presidency to be zoned to the South-east region on the basis of fairness, equity, justice and morality.
Umahi, who is also a presidential aspirant, commended some leaders from outside the region for expressing their support for the next president of Nigeria to emerge from the South-east.
The Chairman of South-east traditional rulers, Eze Charles Mkpuma and CAN Chairman, South-east, Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali, also spoke in favour of President of Nigeria of South-east extraction come 2023.
The leaders while expressing support for a united Nigeria, appealed to the President to grant pardon and release the IPOB leader, urging other agitators to cease all forms of hostilities.