On April 11, 2021, governors of the South-East, after an emergency security meeting at the Imo State Government House, announced the setting up of a regional security outfit codenamed ‘Ebube Agu’ (tiger’s glory). The announcement came in the wake of violent attacks on the Imo State Police Headquarters and the National Correctional Centre, all in Owerri, the state capital.
But the governors’ decision was not only greeted with surprise but also mixed reactions because the people of the region had long awaited the initiative.
Besides, many believed that the Indigenous People of Biafra-which was outlawed by the Federal Government, had taken advantage of the vacuum and the seemingly lacklustre attitude of the South-East governors to float a security outfit for the region, just like their counterparts in the South-West.
The IPOB said the Eastern Security Network was founded to drive away armed herdsmen from forests in the region and find solutions to the nagging insecurity that has made travelling a nightmare, farming near impossible and social activities organised with bated breadths for fear of being attacked.
Growing attacks by criminals especially armed robbers, kidnappers, bandits, Boko Haram insurgents and armed Fulani herdsmen have, for several years, left many states in the country unsafe.
This was why the six South-West governors met January 9, 2020, and established Amotekun, a regional security outfit.
In spite of the opposition by the Federal Government, the Yoruba stuck to their guns that Amotekun must stay and, thus, the state governments in the region have continued to provide the needed logistics for the security outfit to remain.
Although the South-East had introduced forest guards to protect the forests in the region from being converted to abode for criminals, it wasn’t enough to keep the region safe as the zone continued to suffer attacks, including the killing of Catholic priests, by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Critics believe the governors of the South-East failed to act when the need arose but chose to hide behind community policing.
While many didn’t support IPOB’s ESN, some saw it as a timely intervention in the absence of a government response to the security challenges ravaging the region.
The governors had last Sunday, shortly after a security meeting, directed the Attorneys-General and Commissioners for Justice of the five South-East states to work with the joint security committee to come up with the amendment of the existing state laws to reflect the new Ebube Agu security outfit.
The governors, in a communiqué read by the Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi, said the security outfit, with its headquarters to be sited in Enugu, the Enugu State capital, would collaborate with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in the region.
“Ebube Agu will work with the Police and other security agencies in her operations to protect lives and property in South-East. The attorneys-general and commissioners for Justice of the South-East states have been directed to work with the joint security committee to come up with the amendment of the existing state laws to reflect the new Ebube Agu outfit,” the communiqué read in part.
But there are those who still see Ebube Agu as one that only exists in name, with no structure, personnel and a law to back it.
There are also concerns about whether the novel outfit will operate together with the ESN without conflict of interest or even clashes that could worsen the security situation in the area.
Already, Ebube Agu has been rejected by the pro-Biafra group, saying the government outfit would be an extension of the conventional security agencies, warning that “one must give way for the other.”
IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, described Ebube Agu as an imaginary outfit that won’t work, adding that the governors should not be trusted.
“When our people needed them for protection, they were nowhere to be found. Instead of standing to be counted, they were rather waiting for instructions. And now that their masters have instructed them on what to do, that is why they hurriedly announced the imaginary outfit. We know their mission. The outfit will be an extension of the Nigerian security agencies to spy on our gallant Eastern Security Network and other pro-Biafra groups,” Powerful said
“The so-called Ebube Agu will be infiltrated by thugs and saboteurs to hunt the ESN and IPOB members. They want to fight us using our own people. But we are smarter. We are miles ahead of their game plan. IPOB members and the ESN operatives can’t work side by side with any other group that does not know how we operate. In fact, Ebube Agu is a suspect. We can never operate together or co-exist. One must give way for the other,” he added.
He further said, “We can never trust any outfit formed by our governors for the security and defence of our land. Why are they suddenly realising that a regional security outfit should be set up for the defence of the South-East after foot-dragging for many months? These governors who can sacrifice the collective interest of Ndigbo on the altar of their political future cannot be trusted. They are the worst set of Igbo leaders ever seen. They don’t have the interest of the masses at heart. Why have they been quiet over the atrocities of herdsmen in the South-East all along, if they truly care for the people?”
But political watchers in the region want the two outfits to work together in the interest of the region.
A former governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, said, “Well, this cannot be left to any group except the elders now. Those of us who can be called the elders in the whole of the South-East need to work hard, and very hard. We had wanted it long ago, not Ebube Agu but a central regional security system like Eastern Security Network.
“The ESN eventually came because there was no such central system; now that we have a central system, the best thing we can do as elders is to get the governors and IPOB together in whatever way we can do it without offending any group, and work out an arrangement whereby the ESN and Ebube Agu could cohabit.
“The point is really clear; everybody likes the ESN, but you know the ESN is not from an elected government. It is not a people’s movement as such because we voted for the people in government. We didn’t vote for IPOB but we are grateful to them for what they have done to help save our lives. But Ebube Agu, on the contrary, can be said to be a people’s security outfit because it was set up by the government elected by the people.”
While stressing how difficult it would be to forge a unified ground between the governors and IPOB, the elder statesman added, “Ebube Agu, so far, is only a name – no law and nothing on the ground except an existing vigilante. So, I’m thinking the best that can happen is for the government to think deeply; IPOB should listen to the elders and to reasonable suggestions and, somehow, there will be an integration of the ESN and Ebube Agu.”
A former aide-de-camp to the late Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, Bishop Obi Onubogu, said Ndigbo could not afford to have the two security outfits working at cross-purposes.
Onubogu said a clash of interest between them would leave the Igbo at the losing end.
He said, “We understand that the ESN was formed by a group of people in Igboland. We understand that the same people were agitating, complaining and also desire to have their own nation. It is not a hidden thing; everybody knows about it and it wasn’t done in secret. The issue is this; they got the sympathy of the people and appreciated the situation of the people because there was a vacuum. People have been demanding a proper security network to take care of their security problems in Igboland, such as the harassment of the people in their farms, harassment of women and the young ones with impunity by those who destroyed their farmlands. (Sunday PUNCH)
About the Author
291207 903598I will right away grasp your rss as I can not in finding your e-mail subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do youve any? Kindly permit me realize so that I could subscribe. Thanks. 7114
239798 195112Oh my goodness! a fantastic post dude. Numerous thanks Nevertheless We are experiencing dilemma with ur rss . Dont know why Can not sign up to it. Could there be anybody finding identical rss difficulty? Anyone who knows kindly respond. Thnkx 14050
97698 334977I respect your piece of function, appreciate it for all of the intriguing content . 667442
700189 947199So funcy to see the article within this blog. Thank you for posting it 195938
466266 668532Yay google is my king aided me to find this wonderful website ! . 715183
prednisone 2 mg daily: http://prednisone1st.store/# 50mg prednisone tablet
professional dating sites: internet dating site – date me site
get propecia pills generic propecia tablets
https://pharmacyreview.best/# canadian pharmacy 365
п»їMedicament prescribing information.
buy generic mobic prices: can i order generic mobic online – how can i get cheap mobic price
Actual trends of drug.
best non prescription ed pills pills for erection ed pill
medicine for impotence medications for ed ed pills online
can i purchase mobic without prescription: cost generic mobic without dr prescription – generic mobic
canada pharmacy 24h canada online pharmacy
can you buy cheap mobic without dr prescription: how to buy cheap mobic – buying generic mobic price
https://mobic.store/# buying generic mobic online
can i buy amoxicillin online amoxicillin 500 mg tablet price – buy amoxicillin from canada
https://mobic.store/# can i purchase cheap mobic without a prescription
Definitive journal of drugs and therapeutics.
canada pharmacy online safe online pharmacies in canada
All trends of medicament.
buy cheap propecia for sale cost generic propecia tablets
cost of amoxicillin prescription amoxicillin without a prescription – buy amoxicillin canada
ed treatment drugs ed pills online best ed drug
amoxicillin 50 mg tablets amoxicillin no prescipion – where can i buy amoxicillin over the counter
canadian neighbor pharmacy online pharmacy canada
cost of cheap propecia without rx cost of generic propecia
buy mobic without insurance: mobic tablet – where to get mobic
https://mobic.store/# mobic rx
Drug information.
buying propecia no prescription propecia without rx
Actual trends of drug.
buying amoxicillin online: https://amoxicillins.com/# amoxicillin price without insurance
buy amoxicillin online without prescription amoxicillin generic – amoxicillin online pharmacy
ed pills otc: treatment of ed – what is the best ed pill
can you get mobic without rx: buy mobic tablets – order generic mobic tablets
canadian pharmacy no rx needed: best online canadian pharmacy – best canadian pharmacy to buy from
https://certifiedcanadapharm.store/# canadian pharmacy meds
Online medicine home delivery: top online pharmacy india – online shopping pharmacy india
https://mexpharmacy.sbs/# mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa
india online pharmacy: online pharmacy india – india online pharmacy
http://indiamedicine.world/# best india pharmacy
my canadian pharmacy: canadian world pharmacy – canadian pharmacy checker
http://indiamedicine.world/# Online medicine order
best online pharmacies in mexico: buying from online mexican pharmacy – mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa
https://mexpharmacy.sbs/# reputable mexican pharmacies online
indian pharmacy: Online medicine order – Online medicine order
mexican drugstore online: buying from online mexican pharmacy – п»їbest mexican online pharmacies
https://indiamedicine.world/# buy medicines online in india
https://certifiedcanadapharm.store/# canadian drug pharmacy
canada drugs online review: canadian pharmacies that deliver to the us – online pharmacy canada
indianpharmacy com: indian pharmacy paypal – top online pharmacy india
https://indiamedicine.world/# buy prescription drugs from india
purple pharmacy mexico price list: mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs – medicine in mexico pharmacies
http://indiamedicine.world/# reputable indian online pharmacy
mexico pharmacies prescription drugs: reputable mexican pharmacies online – purple pharmacy mexico price list
https://mexpharmacy.sbs/# medication from mexico pharmacy
indianpharmacy com: top 10 online pharmacy in india – buy medicines online in india
mexico drug stores pharmacies: mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa – mexican rx online
ivermectin eye drops: ivermectin 2mg – ivermectin cost canada
can you buy zithromax over the counter zithromax online no prescription zithromax 500 mg lowest price pharmacy online
http://azithromycin.men/# zithromax 500 price
http://azithromycin.men/# zithromax 500 mg for sale
neurontin tablets 300 mg: neurontin prescription online – gabapentin buy
ivermectin cream cost ivermectin generic ivermectin 3 mg tablet dosage
https://stromectolonline.pro/# stromectol ivermectin buy
https://stromectolonline.pro/# buy liquid ivermectin
zithromax 250 mg tablet price: generic zithromax medicine – average cost of generic zithromax
https://stromectolonline.pro/# ivermectin for humans
buy ivermectin nz: ivermectin 6mg dosage – ivermectin lotion cost
http://gabapentin.pro/# neurontin 330 mg
http://antibiotic.guru/# buy antibiotics over the counter
pills for erection: medicine for impotence – online ed pills
buy antibiotics from india: Over the counter antibiotics pills – buy antibiotics over the counter
https://ciprofloxacin.ink/# buy cipro online canada
http://ciprofloxacin.ink/# cipro pharmacy
lisinopril 10 mg canada buy prinivil online lisinopril 10 mg tablet price
how can i get generic avodart online: can you get avodart no prescription – how can i get avodart without rx
http://lipitor.pro/# lipitor rx
buy generic avodart without dr prescription buying generic avodart cost of cheap avodart price
https://lisinopril.pro/# lisinopril pill 5 mg
http://lipitor.pro/# lipitor 10 mg cost
where buy cheap avodart no prescription: how to get generic avodart no prescription – order generic avodart without prescription
https://lipitor.pro/# lipitor generic price
where to buy cipro online buy cipro online canada п»їcipro generic
http://lisinopril.pro/# otc lisinopril
ciprofloxacin buy generic ciprofloxacin buy generic ciprofloxacin
https://ciprofloxacin.ink/# п»їcipro generic
https://lipitor.pro/# buy lipitor online australia
http://avodart.pro/# cost of cheap avodart
cost of lisinopril 20 mg cost of lisinopril 2.5 mg lisinopril 200mg
https://ciprofloxacin.ink/# antibiotics cipro
http://avodart.pro/# where to get cheap avodart
can i order avodart without dr prescription can i get cheap avodart prices how can i get avodart without insurance
cost of lipitor in canada: buy generic lipitor – generic lipitor online
http://ciprofloxacin.ink/# cipro online no prescription in the usa
where can i get generic avodart pill can i buy avodart pills cost generic avodart price
http://lisinopril.pro/# cost for 20 mg lisinopril
п»їlegitimate online pharmacies india: reputable indian online pharmacy – best india pharmacy
canadian pharmacy 365 legitimate canadian mail order pharmacy cheapest pharmacy canada
indian pharmacies safe: international pharmacy india – indianpharmacy com
buy prescription drugs from india: indian pharmacy – best india pharmacy
top 10 online pharmacy in india: buy prescription drugs from india – india online pharmacy
buying drugs from canada: CIPA certified canadian pharmacy – maple leaf pharmacy in canada
https://interpharm.pro/# canadian pharmacy ship to us
top pills online pharmacy – interpharm.pro I’ve sourced rare medications thanks to their global network.
https://pharmacieenligne.icu/# acheter medicament a l etranger sans ordonnance
http://farmaciabarata.pro/# farmacia barata
https://farmaciabarata.pro/# farmacias online seguras en espaГ±a
online apotheke deutschland: online-apotheken – versandapotheke deutschland
https://edpharmacie.pro/# acheter medicament a l etranger sans ordonnance
gГјnstige online apotheke: kamagra oral jelly – online apotheke versandkostenfrei
online-apotheken: Sildenafil Preis Apotheke – online apotheke preisvergleich
Delivering worldwide standards with every prescription. mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs: mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs – mexican mail order pharmacies
buying prescription drugs in mexico online: buying from online mexican pharmacy – mexico pharmacy
canadian pharmacy 365: pharmacy rx world canada – trustworthy canadian pharmacy
Hassle-free prescription transfers every time. online shopping pharmacy india: indianpharmacy com – top 10 pharmacies in india
mexican pharmaceuticals online: mexico pharmacies prescription drugs – mexico pharmacies prescription drugs
pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa: buying prescription drugs in mexico online – п»їbest mexican online pharmacies
Always a pleasant experience at this pharmacy. world pharmacy india: indian pharmacy paypal – indianpharmacy com
buy prescription drugs from india: reputable indian pharmacies – india pharmacy
The team always keeps patient safety at the forefront. pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa: pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa – buying prescription drugs in mexico
canada rx pharmacy world: canadian drugs – canadian pharmacy world reviews
canadian pharmacy oxycodone: canada drugs online – the canadian drugstore
A pharmacy that keeps up with the times. global pharmacy canada: canadian pharmacy oxycodone – canadapharmacyonline legit
canadian pharmacy store: canadian world pharmacy – canadian drugs
mexican drugstore online: п»їbest mexican online pharmacies – pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa
Get here. onlinecanadianpharmacy: canadian pharmacy antibiotics – canadian pharmacy store
https://edpillsotc.store/# generic ed pills
ed pills that work ED pills online generic ed pills
A pharmacy that genuinely cares about community well-being. https://edpillsotc.store/# best treatment for ed
Hassle-free prescription transfers every time. http://edpillsotc.store/# herbal ed treatment
Their international health workshops are invaluable. http://doxycyclineotc.store/# doxycycline canada pharmacy
doxycycline price mexico where to buy doxycycline over the counter doxycycline online singapore
Read here. https://doxycyclineotc.store/# doxycycline pharmacy uk
https://doxycyclineotc.store/# buy doxycycline india
Appreciate their commitment to maintaining global healthcare standards. zithromax 250 mg australia: azithromycin 500 mg buy online – zithromax price canada
The staff ensures a seamless experience every time. https://doxycyclineotc.store/# doxycyline
purchase zithromax z-pak buy azithromycin over the counter zithromax canadian pharmacy