“Ohanaeze Youths Blast Southeast Governors Over Rising Insecurity, Demand Accountability”
The Youth Wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the leading socio-cultural organization of the Igbo people, has strongly criticized the governments of Imo, Anambra, and Abia states for failing to prioritize security in the region. The youth wing issued a statement on Monday, accusing the governors of neglecting the escalating violence, including arson, killings, and kidnappings, that has plagued the states over the past four years.
Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, National Youth President, and Comrade Ifeanyichukwu Nweke, National Secretary, expressed concerns that insecurity in the Southeast had progressed far beyond ordinary criminality. They pointed out that the region is now under the terror of organized groups with multiple camps operating across Igboland.
In their statement, the Ohanaeze Youths specifically called on Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State to establish an independent judicial commission to investigate the perpetrators of these heinous acts, emphasizing the need for accountability. They also urged other Southeast governors—Peter Mba of Enugu and Charles Soludo of Anambra—to recognize the gravity of the situation and take immediate action.
“The South-East Governors need to stop trivializing the loss of lives and properties and acknowledge that Alaigbo is being terrorized by a group with terrorist elements encircling the region,” the statement declared. It condemned the governors for failing to prioritize security, which they described as the fundamental responsibility of any responsive government. The youth wing added that the tenure of the current governors has witnessed an unprecedented surge in violence affecting the people of Imo, Anambra, and Enugu states.
The group also called for a more effective collaboration between the state governments and the Directorate of Intelligence (DOI) Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) to find lasting solutions to the insecurity problem, stressing that genuine commitment to the safety of citizens would require such engagement.
The statement also delivered a stern warning to the perpetrators of violence: “Those who destroy others to survive will inevitably face destruction in their own lives. The bloodshed they sow will return upon them, leaving a legacy of violence for their descendants.”
In addition, the Ohanaeze Youths called on Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra to disband the current political security network and establish a legitimate Community Security Network. They recommended that youth leaders and town union presidents from various communities in Anambra take charge of the new security framework, with support from the government and wealthy individuals in the state.
The youth wing expressed particular concern about the alarming level of violence in Anambra, where kidnappings and killings have reached an all-time high. They questioned whether Governor Soludo should not focus on ensuring the safety of Anambranians as his primary duty, instead of prioritizing his re-election campaign amidst such a crisis.
The Ohanaeze Youths concluded their statement by reiterating that the safety of lives and properties in the Southeast must be the top priority for the region’s leaders.
