Immersive Coverage by Muhammed Lawal

For the past eight years, Nigeria has grappled with a range of security challenges, spurring state governors to take action against the rising tide of kidnappings, killings, and property destruction. The Northern geopolitical zone experienced numerous killings, followed by similar security concerns in the South-East geopolitical zone.

The surge in violent crimes perpetrated by criminal gangs, including kidnappers, bandits, terrorists, and armed Fulani herdsmen, has tremendously undermined the safety and security of many states, disrupting peace across the country.

In response, the South-West states (excluding Lagos State) established Amotekun, a regional security outfit, in January 2020, despite facing opposition from the Federal Government. Similarly, the South-East inaugurated forest guards to secure the region’s forests and curb criminal activities, especially by suspected Fulani herdsmen. However, these measures proved ineffective as the region continued to suffer relentless attacks.

The criminal groups, some of whom were separatist forces agitating for Biafra, engaged in kidnappings for ransom and senseless killings, even targeting monarchs. One such tragic incident was the murder of Eze Joe Ochulor, the traditional ruler of Otulu community in Imo State, in November 2023.

Amid the escalating security challenges, the South-East governors held an emergency meeting in April 2021 and announced the establishment of a regional security outfit, codenamed Ebubeagu, to address the pervasive threats in the region. This decision followed violent attacks on the Imo State Police Headquarters and the National Correctional Centre in Owerri, the state capital.

The governors directed the Attorneys-General and Commissioners for Justice of the five South-East states to collaborate with the joint security committee in amending existing state laws to formalize the new Ebubeagu security outfit. The communiqué emphasized that Ebubeagu would collaborate with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in the region, with its headquarters based in Enugu, the capital of Enugu State.

Prior to the formation of Ebubeagu, the Indigenous People of Biafra established the Eastern Security Network to counter the attacks by armed herdsmen and improve the region’s security.

The Peace Initiative

The House of Representatives proposed that the establishment of a South-East Development Commission could foster peace and quell the recurring violence in the region. President Bola Tinubu also pledged to utilize available resources to ensure lasting peace and security in the South-East, unveiling the Logo of the Peace in the South-East Project (PISE) during a visit to Abia State.

In a bid to promote peace, the late former governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, advocated for a collaborative approach, suggesting the need for elders in the South-East to mediate between the governors and IPOB, fostering an arrangement where Ebubeagu and the Eastern Security Network could coexist.

Clash of Titans: Ebubeagu vs. ESN

Tensions escalated when it became evident that Ebubeagu was rejected by the pro-Biafra group, citing concerns that the government-appointed outfit would encroach on the activities of the Eastern Security Network, warning that “one must give way for the other.”

Subsequently, the alleged involvement of Ebubeagu in several killings across the states led to public outcry, with accusations of the security outfit terrorizing communities and failing to fulfill its primary mandate.

Survivors and family members of victims also came forward to recount harrowing experiences, such as Nnamdi Nnanna, who witnessed operatives of the state-owned Ebubeagu security outfit fatally shooting seven of his brothers during a tragic incident in Imo State.

The convoluted dynamics between Ebubeagu and the Eastern Security Network vividly encapsulate the complexities and challenges engulfing the South-East region, underscoring the imperative for lasting solutions to restore peace and security while navigating the delicate balance between government initiatives and grassroots efforts.

The Quest for Peace and Security in Nigeria’s South-East: Unveiling Ebubeagu and the Peace Project

In the wake of mounting security concerns in Nigeria’s South-East region, a spectrum of initiatives and challenges has emerged, shaping the discourse on peace and stability. From the dissolution of the Ebubeagu vigilance outfit to the persistent clamor for tangible solutions, the region stands at a pivotal juncture, fueling conversations and apprehensions on multiple fronts.

The Ebubeagu Controversy Unveiled
The disbandment of the Ebubeagu vigilance outfit, intended to curtail the activities of suspected criminals, underscored the enduring complexities within the South-East security framework. The outfit, designed to be a bastion of protection, found itself mired in allegations of human rights abuses, extortion, illegal arrests, and the unwarranted use of firearms. As the Federal High Court in Abakaliki rendered its ruling, the intricate tapestry of the region’s security landscape came under intensified scrutiny, demanding a recalibration of approaches and structures.

Governors’ Ardent Pursuit of Stability
The proactive stance assumed by the South-East Governors’ Forum in launching forest guards and fostering collaborative mechanisms through the South-East Integrated Security Monitoring/Intelligence Gathering revealed a resolute commitment to quelling the tide of insecurity. The earnest deliberations, including the recent gathering to address the repercussions of the Monday sit-at-home directive and advocate for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, underscore the governors’ persistent efforts to catalyze lasting peace.

Unveiling the ‘Peace in South East Project’
The forthcoming convergence, presided over by the governors of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states, to unveil the ‘Peace in South East Project’ bears the hallmark of a watershed moment in the region’s quest for tranquility. The palpable anticipation surrounding this initiative hints at the collective yearning for a definitive shift towards harmony, transcending the pervasive specter of kidnapping and violence that has cast a shadow over the region.

Stakeholders’ Thought-Provoking Insights
Amid the labyrinth of perspectives, the voices of stakeholders, including the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, and the National Vice Chairman of the Labour Party in the South-East, Innocent Okeke, offered invaluable insights. Dr. Ogbonnia’s call for a revamped security architecture transcending the South-East and Mr. Okeke’s impassioned plea for a collaborative, holistic approach resonate as pivotal levers in navigating the region towards tranquility and safety.

Unfurling the Path Forward
As the aspirations for peace intertwine with the imperatives of security, the unfolding narrative in Nigeria’s South-East charts a course fraught with challenges, possibilities, and the unfaltering resolve to forge a new trajectory. The confluence of divergent viewpoints, the orchestration of initiatives, and the underlying quest for equity and reconciliation coalesce to define a watershed moment that beckons the entire nation to engage in the pursuit of a more secure and harmonious future.