South East: No going back on regional security — Gen. Umahi

Chairman of South East Security Committee, Maj. Gen. Obi Umahi (retd), yesterday, disclosed that all was set for the unveiling of a security outfit for the zone.

He noted that whatever technicalities that prevented the five state governments from doing so in 2019 had been cleared.

Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, had after the State Security Council meeting on January 12, 2021, announced that governors and leaders of the zone had finally formed a joint security outfit to tackle security challenges in the region.

He stated that the training and re-training of its personnel had commenced.

Speaking on a national television, Gen. Umahi said the South East was the most secured and peaceful zone in the country and attributed the feat to the efforts of the five Governors.

“They have banned open grazing because it’s destructive. I know they are concluding arrangements for a security outfit. They have done things about the security infrastructure. I am also aware that each state has motorised its security network.

“So, South East is the most secure geopolitical zone in this country today. The governors put in efforts. It did not just fall from nowhere. We don’t need to make noise about it. Based on the security situation in the South East today, the governors have done well and should be commended.”

He said the nation’s security forces were determined to tackle the spate of insecurity in the country but regretted that there was obvious sabotage within the security network including the military.

The former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Div of Nigerian Army said he would not mention names but advised that Nigerians unite to save the country from imminent collapse.

On the Eastern Security Network (ESN) recently floated by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Gen. Umahi described it as an illegal contraption. (Daily Sun)