Launch Regional Security Outfit, ‘Ebube Agu’
The audacious attack by armed bandits that sacked the Nigerian Correctional Service facility and Police Headquarters both in Owerri, Imo State on April 5, appears to be a catalyst for the announcement by the five governors of the South East region of Nigeria for the setting up of their own security outfit. Named Ebube Agu, the security outfit appears structured in line with its South West counterpart, Amotekun, and is intended to provide security in the region. The South East appears to be the new hotbed of banditry in the country today. With armed attacks in Ebonyi, to attempted assassination and killings in political rallies in Anambra State and other random killings, kidnappings and banditry activities throughout the region, insecurity stares everyone in the face. These regional security outfits are the clearest evidence yet of the failure of Nigeria’s security system, with President Buhari accused of pursuing perhaps the worst manifestations of ethnicising, sectionalising and decapitating the strength of Nigeria’s security. Most States and even individuals are now left to their own devices. In addition to regional security outfits, the country has seen a proliferation of unregulated and unsupervised vigilante groups. There has also been an incredible proliferation of small arms and weapons in the country. In a press conference addressed by former Head of State, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar under the auspices of the National Peace Committee, it is estimated that at least six million small weapons are currently circulating in the country. It is also reported that at least 80,000 people have died owing to insecurity. It is unclear how the country will climb out of the present descent into insecurity. The biggest concern however to most Nigerians is the apparent deep levels of incompetence, failure and collapse of the country’s security machinery.