Major General Obi Umahi, former Chairman of the South East Security Committee, has expressed his concerns about the impact of insecurity on the socio-economic well-being of the people in the South East region.
He made this known during an interview on Flo 94.9 FM radio programme, South East Political Roundtable, explained why the South East Governors’ security outfit, Ebubeagu Security Watch, hasn’t been as effective in addressing insecurity as expected.
According to General Umahi the Ebubeagu needed to establish a coordinated and synergized information structure across the entire South East region to succeed.
Umahi pointed out that Ebubeagu was currently operational in only two out of the five states in the region, and this was insufficient to guarantee its success, as criminals would exploit any gaps.
He stressed the importance of a seamless flow of information and tactics from local points to Ebubeagu and the central controlling structure, and vice versa.
General Umahi suggested that the Southeast Governors should implement a unified security system simultaneously and uniformly.
While acknowledging the South East Governors for their security initiatives, General Umahi urged them to do more to combat banditry in the region.
He commended Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, for his decisive actions regarding the Lokpanta Cattle Market in Umuchieze, Umunnochi LGA of Abia, which he believed was a crucial step in securing the state.
General Umahi lamented that some evil persons had hijacked the Monday sit-at-home orders to harm innocent people in the South East.
He concluded by lauding President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of an Igbo man as the Chief of Naval Staff, although he cautioned that this appointment might not immediately address the security challenges in the region.
