Tackle insecurity in S’East, CSOs tell FG

Civil Society Organisations have called on the Federal Government to increase its effort in tackling insecurity currently ravaging the southeastern part of the country.

Speaking in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, the Chairman, Rivers Civil Society Coalition, Enefaa Georgewill, said the issue of insecurity in the South-East could be linked to the detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, stressing that the court handling the case should follow due process.

Georgewill said, “I think the way forward is that the laws should be followed in terms of dealing with the most important issue in the South-East region which is becoming a national issue, and that is the case of Nnamdi Kanu.

“Our advice is that the court process should be duly followed as regards the matter. If there are no legal grounds by which he is being held, he should be released unconditionally. But if he has a case to answer, let him follow the judicial process and not the one which raises questions on if the government is sincere or not.

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“The Court of Appeal has graciously granted him bail. We agree with those who argue that the way and manner he was given bail did not follow due process.”

He further noted that stakeholders should be engaged to find a solution for lasting peace in the region, which he said should include justice.

He added, “Since this issue started, there has been a high rate of insecurity in the South-East. There should be key stakeholders’ engagement in terms of finding lasting solutions to injustice. At every point in time, we like to call for peace without talking about justice. There have been a lot of clamor and complaints about how people’s crops have been destroyed. Stakeholders should be called and sincerity of purpose should be displayed.”

Also, the Country Director of Action Aid, Ene Obi, said the commitment of the Federal Government to handling insecurity would determine whether the menace would be curbed or not.

She added, “For me, it depends on the commitment of the Federal Government itself to tackling insecurity. That is what we need to face. Are they tackling insecurity? How much of it are they tackling without playing any kind of politics? I think my advice is that the Nigerian government should not play politics with issues of insecurity.”