…Request joint operation to flush out criminals, killer herdsmen
South East leaders have pledged to continue to protect all the various ethnic groups living in South East even as they enjoined them to go about their businesses peacefully.
The South East leaders made the pledge in a communiqué issued by the Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi at the end of a meeting of South East leaders with Presidential Delegation to South East at the Executive Council Chamber, Lion Building, Government House, Enugu on Saturday.
The leaders equally thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, Governors and traditional rulers in other parts of Nigeria for their commitment to protect their people especially during and after the protests assuring that “we must continue to live in peace.”
They also requested a joint operation into all the forests in the South East to flush out criminals and killer herdsmen with AK47, while pledging their commitment to continuous co-existence with herdsmen who according to them had been living peacefully with them for years.
While pledging their undivided support and love to the President and his administration, the leaders noted that lgbo leaders stand for an indivisible and united Nigeria, built on love, fairness, equity and justice adding that “we believe that under this platform, we are bigger and stronger.”
They equally thanked Mr. President for the speed and restraint with which he handled the demand of peaceful EndSARS protesters, especially his commitment to drive Police reform and mainstream youth empowerment and also for his courage to deal with hoodlums, criminals and those who hi-jacked the initial protests to hide under the peaceful protest and kill, maim innocent citizens, security agents and public and private properties.
“We sympathize with the families of civilians and security agencies, who lost their lives and properties during the EndSARS protests (both peaceful and criminal protests).
“South East Governors have set up Panels of Enquiry to deal with all infractions of human rights of our people and security agencies, compensation funds for all civilians and security men who lost their lives during the protest. We have also set up empowerment/employment fund to help more of our youth earn their lawful daily means of livelihood”, the leaders added.
While equally thanking President Muhammadu Buhar for all the great works he was doing at the second Niger Bridge, the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, dualized road of Enugu to Port Harcourt and some other projects in the South East, the South East leaders also thanked the President for all his kind commitment in the struggle of their sister, Prof. Ngozi Okonjo lweala to become the Director General of the World Trade Organization.
“We are particularly grateful with the way you have engaged the world leaders to see her through the process. May God crown your efforts with success- Amen”, they prayed.
They however requested the President, “the father of our nation, to please look into the demands of the various groups of our people, as presented today, review same with a view to solving them. South East people believe in one Nigeria and this is the reason we are in every part of this country erecting infrastructures, living peacefully with our host communities and doing our businesses.”
They continued, “We appreciate Mr. President’s delegation for carefully listening to, engaging with stakeholders and undertaking to report faithfully to Mr. President for his consideration and necessary action. We request Mr. President to commit the various presentations of all of us – traditional rulers, religious leaders, the women group, the Ohaneze leadership and the youth groups and give full support to actualizing these genuine demands.”
Photo: Ebonyi State Governor and Chairman, South East Governors’ Forum, Engr. David Nweze Umahi.
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