An Igbo group, Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF) has urged Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and his Anambra State counterpart, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to desist from utterances capable of escalating the already volatile security situation in the two states.
The Forum in a statement to newsnen after its meeting in Enugu state, cautioned both Governors to refrain from heating up the already tense security situations in the two States with their unguarded statements which led to the renewed killings of some security operatives and burning down government facilities recently.
They condemned what the members described as “despicable killings of unarmed two Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and injuring some persons as well as burning of government property by unknown gunmen.
The NUF said the current escalation of violence in both states could be traced to the unguarded statements about the Monday’s Sit- at- home which they said has been abolished and asked the Federal Government to deploy more security men in the State to deal with the problems associated with the “unknown gunmen.”
According to the statement signed by Dede Uzor A Uzor, “NUF has after her general meeting in Enugu State comdemned the atrocious and despicable acts of killings in the South East and advised our leaders to stop making unrguraded remarks that provoke these boys (unknown gunmen) to anger as this would risk the lives of security operatives, jeopardise and fragile security in the South East”.
It warned that, instead, the leaders should meet with Aso Rock officials, seek a political solution on how to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and other political detainees who have been languishing in various government security facilities across the country.
The group stated that the Federal Government should provide compensation to Igbo youths and other victims including security operatives killed during the ongoing atrocious incidents in the zone.
They further called for setting up a Judicial Commission of enquiry to look into the circumstances both immediate and remote causes of the ongoing security challenges with a view to addressing them as soon as possible.
NUF urged Uzodimma and Soludo to adopt diplomatic strategies of an elder Statesman, Chief Mbazuruike Amechi and other Igbo leaders who had intervened with the President Muhammadu Buhari Government to seek for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally.
The group also called on all leaders to immediately convoke an all Inclusive South East Security Summit within 14 days which would involve all the stakeholders, including non -state actors to thoroughly address the ongoing security challenges in the zone as well as restore peace in the area.
They emphasized the need to create jobs for the teeming army of unemployed youths as they have no source of income, which make them vulnerable and prone to be used by dubious political godfathers.
It advised Governors of South East zone to channel their monthly security votes amounting to billions of naira to engaging the youths in their respective states, adding that they can engage one million youths each in projects on their respective States which should be immediate because of the urgency of the situation.
They warned that any Governor who refused to adopt this project would be marked as an enemy of the Igbo youths.
