Insecurity: South East Under Attack

There have been reports of incessant attacks in different parts of the region by unknown gunmen and alleged bandits.

Worried By the precarious security situation in the South East, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, has told the people of the region to step up their security consciousness, to avoid being caught unawares by killer herdsmen trooping into the region. According to him, the South East is no longer safe.

This came as eight persons were, yesterday, allegedly feared killed, while properties worth millions of naira were burnt down when unknown gunmen invaded Adani in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State to rescue a young man allegedly shot by suspected herdsmen.

Speaking yesterday, the Onitsha monarch alleged that terrorist herders from outside the country had invaded Nigeria, causing insecurity in many parts of the country, including South East. He said forests in the region had been taken over by the herders who, according to him, kill, maim and rape women.

Igwe Achebe said: “Mercenary herdsmen are moving into the South East forests, kidnapping and killing our people.” He urged South East governors to speak with one voice and act without further delay to save the lives of their people.

The monarch, who spoke while receiving six security motorcycles donated by Rai and Salim, R&S, Lotto Limited, to the newly formed Onitsha Ado Community Vigilante Unit, acknowledged that the whole country was facing security challenge, especially in the South East, which needed to be addressed urgently. Igwe Achebe, who also received three patrol vehicles donated by Onitsha indigenes, from the Transition Chairman of Onitsha North Local Government Area, Mr Patrick Agha Mba, also asked the federal government and the security agencies to re-strategize and step up their security apparatus to match the sophistication being introduced by violent criminals into the country.