Reps demand Kanu’s release to end insecurity in the South East

The House of Representatives Ad hoc committee established to interface with relevant security agencies to reduce kidnapping, assassinations, and banditry in and around Isiukwuato and Umunnochi Local Government Area of Abia State has called for the release of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu in order for peace to prevail in the South East region.

The committee chairman, Honorable Obinna Aguocha, made the request during a meeting on Thursday in Abuja.

For absolute peace, the reduction of crime and criminality, investment in meaningful infrastructure development, the end of unproductive sit-ins, and the improvement of economic growth and opportunities in the South East, the government must recognize the rule of law, justice, and the region’s equitable inclusion, according to him.

He stated that the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from unlawful detention to ensure enduring peace and security in the entire region is crucial for the success of the Nigeria project.

While addressing the security agencies present at the meeting, he stated that the insecurity issues in the focus areas of Abia State were a result of the state’s shared borders with other states, which allow criminals to travel freely across the state’s borders.

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

“The opportunity for interstate collaboration exists and must be pursued in order to encourage regional participation. The challenges encountered by one state have repercussions on its neighbors, so our resolution strategies must be comprehensive.

“By combining our resources, expertise, and perspectives, we can create a more formidable front against insecurity and strengthen our ties to one another.”

“As we navigate the complexities of security concerns, we must also be prepared to address the underlying causes of these problems and work to guarantee solutions that will withstand the test of time.

Prior to its current recess, the House of Representatives pledged to investigate the matter in response to a similar motion, but has not yet taken any action in that regard.

Aguocha continued, “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 hinder the development of our region.”

Criminal activities, banditry, abduction, assassinations, communal and religious conflicts, and threats to life, according to the lawmaker, have shaken the very foundations of our societies.

“As leaders and stakeholders, it is incumbent upon us to unite, putting aside our differences, in order to find long-term solutions that will eliminate these threats and pave the way for a brighter future.

“We recognize that insecurity cannot be combated by a single entity; it requires a collective, multifaceted approach that incorporates the diverse 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 applauds the efforts of state governments in the Southeast region as well as the Federal government for its demonstrated dedication to peace and security in the Southeast.

In conclusion, we should expect the following to have been addressed or significantly advanced: a clear strategy for inter-security agency collaboration, a clear strategy for inter-government joint task collaboration, a clear strategy for the community engagement pathway, and the determination of short- and long-term implementation milestones.

In the meantime, the sponsor of the motion that resulted in the formation of the committee, the Honorable Amobi Ogah, has accused the police of using multiple checkpoints in the troubled areas to extort money from innocent citizens, rather than combing the bushes for criminals, as the House’s resolution demanded.

He stated that despite all the petitions, including the formation of a joint security task force to comb the bushes, nothing has been accomplished, except for the “embarrassing” erection of multiple checkpoints, while kidnappings continue to rise.

“I want it to be documented that the police do nothing but collect money,” he stated.

Mr. Kenechukwu Onwumelie, Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, will brief the panel during a closed-door session convened by the committee’s chairman in an effort to salvage the situation.