By Kamsi Anayo
Governors of the five South East states have commended the efforts of the security agencies in ensuring the return of peace in the region.
They said that normalcy was being incrementally restored as a result of the cooperation of the security agencies with the governments and people of the zone.
The governors disclosed this on Thursday in a communiqué read by the Imo State Governor and Chairman, South East Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, shortly after the South East Governors’ Forum meeting held at the Enugu State Government House.
The meeting was attended by Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu state, Gov. Charles Soludo of Anambra state, Gov. Alex Otti of Abia state, and Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi state.
The meeting also reiterated the commitment of the Forum to forge a common socio-economic and security cooperation through a summit to be announced at a later date.
They governors further declared that the perpetrators of insecurity and their sponsors in the region were mere criminals, who should not be dignified as legitimate agitators, but should be dealt with in line with the provisions of the law.
Fielding questions from newsmen, Uzodimma exonerated IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu from sit-at-home and other related violence.
He assured that the governors of the region would continue to do everything within their powers to sustain the increasing peace and security presently being enjoyed by the South East.
The communique read: “The Forum firmly resolved to fight insecurity decisively in the region individually and collectively, in partnership with the Federal Government and other Stakeholders.
“We commend the security agencies for their cooperation thus far and encourage them not to relent.
“We wish to state categorically that the perpetrators of the insecurity in our region and their sponsors are criminals and should not be seen as legitimate agitators. Therefore, upon arrest, they should be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the land.
“The Forum resolved to hold the security and economic summit on a date to be announced soon”.
