House of Reps calls for Kanu’s release to end insecurity in South East region

The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee, which was formed to work with relevant security agencies to reduce kidnapping, assassination, and banditry in and around Isiukwuato and Umunnochi Local Government Areas of Abia State, has called for the release of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu in order for peace to reign in the South East region.

The committee's Chairman, Hon. Obinna Aguocha, made the announcement at a meeting on Thursday in Abuja.

According to him, the government's recognition of the rule of law, justice, and equitable inclusion of the South East zone is the starting point for absolute peace, crime and criminality reduction, meaningful infrastructure development, ending the unproductive sit-at-home, and improving economic growth and opportunities in the South East.

He stated that in order to accomplish Project Nigeria, the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from wrongful incarceration to secure long-term peace and security in the area cannot be overstated.

While speaking to the security agencies present at the conference, he stated that the insecurity difficulties being experienced in the areas of emphasis in Abia State were a result of shared borders with other states, which allows criminals to travel freely across state boundaries.

He added that the cross-border dynamics of the primary focus areas add to the complexity of the task ahead, noting that the primary focus areas are connected to Ebonyi State via Isiagu, Enugu State via Agwu, Imo State via Okigwe, and Anambra via Awka via common borders shared with four other states.

"An opportunity for inter-state collaboration exists and should be pursued in order to foster regional participation."

The problems that one state faces have rippling effects on its neighbors, thus our solutions must be all-inclusive.

"We can create a stronger front against insecurity and strengthen the bond that binds us by combining our resources, expertise, and perspectives."

"As we navigate the complexities of security concerns, we must also be prepared to address the underlying causes of these issues and work to ensure long-term solutions that will withstand the test of time."

Prior to starting on its current recess, the House of Representatives committed to delve into the topic via a motion in response to a similar demand, but has yet to do so.

According to Aguocha, "the challenges we face are not mere statistics or headlines; they are real-life manifestations that affect the lives of our people, disrupt the functioning of our institutions and communities, and thus impede the growth of our region."

Criminal activity, banditry, abduction, killings, communal and religious disputes, and threats to life, according to the legislator, have disturbed the fundamental foundations of our communities.

"As leaders and stakeholders, it is incumbent on us to work together, despite our differences, to find long-term solutions to these threats and pave the way for a brighter future."

“We recognize that insecurity cannot be combated by one entity alone; it does require a collective, multi-faceted approach that encompasses various perspectives and expertise of law enforcement agencies, community leaders, policymakers, scholars, and citizens”, he said, adding that ongoing engagement will provide the opportunity to harness the diverse perspectives and channel them into coherent, actionable strategies for peace.

“This committee wishes to applaud the efforts of state governments in the Southeast region as well as the Federal government for its demonstrable commitment to peace and security in the Southeast.

“In conclusion, it should be our collective expectation that the following would have been addressed or significantly advanced clear strategy for inter security agency collaboration, clear strategy for inter government joint task collaboration, clear strategy for community engagement pathway, and determination of implementation milestones, both in the short and long term.

Meanwhile, sponsor of the motion that led to composition of the committee, Hon. Amobi Ogah has accused the police of using multiple checkpoints in the troubled areas to extort money from innocent citizens, instead of combing the bushes to flush out the criminals as demanded by the House through its resolution.

He said of all the prayers, including setting up of a joint security task force to comb the bushes, nothing has been done, but rather the mounting of multiple checkpoints, which he described as “embarrassing”, while kidnapping is yet on the increase.

"I want it on record that the police are only interested in collecting money," he stated.

To salvage the situation, the committee's chairman convened a closed-door session in which the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, Mr. Kenechukwu Onwumelie, briefed the panel.