In recent times, the security situation in the South East has been in a very deplorable condition. There has been shootings and killings all over the place by gunmen even as armed robbers, kidnappers and other criminals have been rampaging all over the place. In the process, lives have been lost, properties destroyed and the enclave has been tension soaked. The masses are now asking the five governors what has happened to the Ebubeagu Security Network in the face of the acute insecurity growing in the region.
After the hoodlums had virtually taken over the entire South East, the governors met in Enugu and agreed to come up with the idea of Ebubeagu Security Network, taking a clue from the Amotekun which was put in place by the South West governors in the face of the severe insecurity challenges in the zone. However, since the inception of Ebubeagu, nothing much has happened in terms of mode of operation and structure. Except in Ebonyi State where Governor Dave Umahi has been pushing the Ebubeagu organization and supporting it with funds, the other four governors seem not to support the idea.
A trader at the ever boisterous Holy Ghost terminal, Ikenna Una is wondering why criminals are still rounding riot in the South East despite the formation of the Ebubeagu outfit. He said; “I have observed that there are more insecurity challenges in the Igbo nation since the formation of the Ebubeagu Security Network. At least, I am aware of the situation in Imo State even as almost all the states in South East have experienced the burning of INEC office and police posts or stations. My question now is, where is Ebubeagu? I also know that the only functional command of Ebubeagu is the one in Ebonyi State, may be because Umahi is the South East Governors Forum”.
As Una observed, the South East has been experiencing odious security challenges in the past three months. In Imo State, since the April 5 attack on Imo State Police Command and the Federal Correctional Centre, the state has been very chaotic. Gunmen have been shooting indiscriminately thereby causing panic and tension in the entire place. In the last check carried out by News Echo, the house of the commissioner of information and strategy, Hon. Declan Emelumba was set on fire by gunmen.
The case of Anambra State is not even better. About six weeks ago, the two policemen attached to Prof. Chukwuma Soludo who is a strong APGA governorship aspirant for the 2021 election were killed by hoodlums. It was also reported that gunmen shot dead two policemen and wounded many others at Abor Akuzor, Nkpor, Idemili North LGA of the state. There have been other attacks as well.
In spite of the full operational scale of Ebubeagu in Ebonyi, herders have been attacking several communities in the state. At the last count, no fewer than 30 people have lost their lives to herders attack in the state. According to a published report; the Fulani herdsmen attacked seven Ebonyi villages. The attack led to the death of over 30 indigenes of Ebonyi while survivors are still critical in various hospitals in the state.
Of all the criminal activities that have turned Abia State into a hotbed of fear and panic, the heinous attack and killing of POS agents namely Victor Chimaobi Igbokwe and Ezinne Grace Iroh in Aba was quite shocking. Although the suspects were later arrested, the psychological impact is still being felt.
Even now, the purported resignation of the Ebubeagu chief commander, retired Major General Abel Obi Umahi has added fresh anxiety about the setting up of the outfit. He alleged that since the security network came into being, there have been no funds, logistics and direction. He was quoted as saying that the only support he got came from the Ebonyi State governor. The commander noted that he could no longer continue in his capacity as the commander.
