The governors of the South-East region on Sunday raised the alarm over the rising insecurity challenge that has led to frequent kidnappings and killings in the region.
The governors, who met in a closed-door meeting at the Government House, Enugu expressed worry that the insecurity has badly affected economic activities in the region.
Addressing journalists at the end of the closed-door meeting, the Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, David Umahi, who decried the state of insecurity in the region, lamented, “Our economic activities have come to a halt while kidnapping and wanton killing have become the order of the day.”
With all other important dignitaries, Enugu State governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, and Ebonyi State governor, Engr. David Umahi were in attendance.
The governors of Anambra and Imo states, Prof. Charles Soludo and Senator Hope Uzodimma were represented by their deputies, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezi and Prof. Placid Njoku, respectively.
The governors called on the Federal Government to come to their aid in providing security in the zone, bearing in mind that elections are around the corner.
Umahi disclosed that the governors agreed to set up a 24-hour joint patrol in all major highways within the South-East, especially during the Christmas season.
“South East Governors’ Forum jointly formed Ebube Agu and Forest Guards not ESN. So, it is not correct for any person to allude to the fact that South-East governors createdESN,” he said.
