Anya-Ndi-Igbo, an Igbo sociopolitical group has called for urgent measures to end insecurity in the South-East region.
The group, which said it was the inalienable right of every Nigerian to have their lives and property protected as this was the primary responsibility of government, noted that Nigerians are currently facing “the biggest threat to their lives and livelihoods”.
Anya-Ndi-Igbo said this in a statement signed by members of its exco and Board of Trustees and made available to newsmen on Friday.
While condemning the existence of non-state actors in the region, the group urges the Federal Government to explore dialogue with all agitating groups as a way to understand what the issues are.
It also pleaded with President Buhari to ensure that the region was safe for people to come out and vote in the 2023 general election.
It further called on South-East governors to “go the extra mile in addressing security
challenges and make security the topmost priority of their administrations in order to reverse the current ugly trend.”
The group also called on ” all the sons and daughters of Alaigbo to think about creative and constructive ways of reversing the prevailing security, economic and political challenges in Alaigbo as a solemn duty.”
The statement partly read, “Generally, Nigerians from all works of life are facing the biggest threat to their lives and
livelihoods. The framers of our Nigerian Constitution starting from the 1999 constitution to the last amendment, foresaw today. This explains their provision of the primary duty of government as protection of lives and property. It is therefore, the inalienable right and entitlement of every Nigerian to benefit from the primary duty of government to protect lives and property.
“In recent years and particularly in the past three years, the scale and depth of insecurity in the South-East has become unbearable. Terrorist-type invasions accompanied with massacre and sacking of entire communities, which are hardly countered by Federal and States Governments have become a common feature of the region. Other types of merchants of crime, violence and torture have joined the rampage, thereby creating hell on earth for residents and travelers in the region.
“ANYI-NDI-IGBO condemns the havoc being wrecked on Ndi-Igbo by the existence of nonstate actors in the South East, under different guises, acronyms and for other reasons. Only organisations that exist by relevant laws and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should engage in law enforcement. The objective is to make Ala-Igbo safe, not only for NdiIgbo, but also attractive for people from other parts of the country to choose to live in.
“ANYA-NDI-IGBO advises South-East Governors to go the extra mile in addressing security challenges and make security the topmost priority of their administration in order to reverse the current ugly trend. They should use all legitimate powers to stabilise and secure their States from further descent into chaos and work with federal authorities to restore normalcy.
“We encourage the Federal Government to open their doors for engagement and dialogue with all Agitation Groups as a way of understanding what the issues are and to resolve the genuine cases.
“We request the Federal Government to put all relevant measures in place to ensure that there is peace and Nigerians are protected as they come out to vote in 2023. All hands must be on deck to ensure that the right things are done. We appeal to the Commanders of the armed forces to collaborate with other State actors to work in synergy to maintain law and order. An insecure nation is a threat to all. It affects our general well being and scares away our financially strong diaspora community as well as genuine investors.”