From Our Correspondent
Enugu, Feb. 25, ’25 (TNZ) A coalition of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and Civil Society Organisations (CSO) has bemoaned governors of Southeast states for not showing enough commitment towards addressing insecurity in the region.
The coalition made the remarks in a communique issued at the end of a two-day stakeholders summit, which ended in Enugu on Feb. 22.
The communique of the summit, titled “On Peace And Security And Public Hearing On Human Rights Violations”, was e-mailed to TheNewsZenith, on Tuesday, in Lagos.
Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma, Executive Director of Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), signed the communique on behalf of the coalition.
The summit x-rayed the interplay between insecurity and human rights violations or abuses in the Southeast.
It also examined their interconnectedness with activities of both state and non-state actors.
The coalition blamed the situation on cultism, resource exploration, poor security responses, arms proliferation and lack of inclusive governance.
It noted that the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu despite several appeals for compliance with court orders and the need for political resolution’ were exacerbating the situation.
According to them, the governors are not doing enough advocacy for the Southeast region.
“There is a need for enhanced coordination among the Southeast governors to implement regional security initiatives.
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“They should take a cue from the Southwest governors.
“Corruption and the politicisation of security challenges continue to impede effective responses.
“The Police should not be used for regime protection or repression and suppression of democratic expression,” TheNewsZenith quotes from the communique.
The summit expressed concern over human rights violations by some state-backed security outfits such as Agunechemba in Anambra.
Such security out-fits, it said, require oversight and accountability measures.
The coalition observed that the shrinking civic space and increasing fear of reprisals have weakened advocacy efforts.
“Insecurity in Southeast had taken the forms of armed robbery, kidnapping, extrajudicial killings and unlawful detentions.”
The summit called for regulation of state security outfits such as special or tactical units of the Police such as the Rapid Response Squad in Anambra and Tiger Base in Imo State.
It advocated the setting up of a Human Rights Bureau and the adoption of a collaborative security framework. (TNZ)
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