The governors of the five South-East states in Nigeria convened a meeting in Enugu to address the pressing issue of insecurity in the region.
Hope Uzodinma, the governor of Imo State and the newly appointed chairman of the forum, revealed the details of the meeting, where the leaders collectively denounced criminal elements causing unrest and insecurity.
The governors pledged to take action against those causing and supporting insecurity in the area in a joint statement that Uzodinma read. The leaders emphasized that such individuals, along with their backers, were criminals and should not be regarded as lawful protesters.
This marked the first meeting since Uzodinma assumed the role of forum chairman. The gathering included Charles Soludo of Anambra, Alex Otti of Abia, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, and Peter Mbah of Enugu, the host governor.
Uzodinma asserted that anyone involved in criminal activities would face legal consequences once apprehended. He also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the Southeast states and the federal government, as well as other stakeholders, to effectively combat the prevailing insecurity.
The governors applauded the efforts of security agencies and urged them to persist in their endeavors. The coordinated stance of the Southeast governors underscores their determination to restore security and stability to the region while rejecting criminal elements posing as legitimate agitators.