The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) on Wednesday, 18th of December 2024, said that one of the major actions for the Southeast to take to curtail the galloping insecurity in the region is an urgent leadership revolution.
The Executive Director of RULAAC, Okechukwu Nwanguma, stated this while addressing journalists on the continual insecurity in the Southeast geopolitical zone and the challenges of Christmas travellers heading to the Southeast during this period.
According to Nwanguma, the youth of the Southeast, rather than expending their energy in confronting the federal government and attacking uniform personnel, should channel it towards making their leaders, especially governors, accountable.
He noted that if the insecurity continues, with young people being killed, there will likely come a time when there will no longer be young people in the southeast.
His words: “If insecurity in the southeast is not checked, we will get to a time when we will no longer have young people in the Southeast because of the killings and counter-killings going on between them and state actors.
“Leaders in the Southeast are embezzling public funds without caring about the people. True, the youth can blame the federal government for the problems in that region, but they must hold their leaders accountable! These young people need to look inward and ask questions.
“Southeast is in dire need of a responsible political leadership that prioritizes the interests of the people. What is currently in place is criminal politics by an organized criminal cabal that is unscrupulous, unconscionably corrupt, unpatriotic, and self-centred only in pursuit of self-enrichment at the expense of the welfare and security of the people.
“Southeast urgently needs a leadership revolution that puts the people at the forefront, rather than perpetuating a system of corruption and self-interest.”
The human rights activist explained that as Christmas approaches, there will be many stop and search checkpoints and roadblocks at major highways and some intercity roads, set up under the guise of protecting travellers from criminals, however, these frequently become sites of harassment, extortion, and brutality.
Nwanguma said that it was crucial at this festive period, to draw the attention of security agency leaders to implement measures that monitor the conduct of operatives at these checkpoints.
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This action, he said, will ensure that personnel operate professionally, and it will also help in preventing personnel from becoming a source of distress for travellers.
He also stated that urgent action was needed to address the widespread complaints regarding the excesses of security agents at checkpoints along highways and motorways in Southeast Nigeria.
He further said: “Measures such as oversight, training, and accountability must be prioritized to restore public confidence and safety during this holiday season.
“The security situation in Southeast Nigeria has been marked by rising violence, including clashes between security forces and non-state actors, kidnappings, communal tensions, and human rights violations. This climate of insecurity has significant implications for civic space.
“Persistent clashes, often linked to separatist movements or criminal gangs, have heightened public fear and disrupted community life. Increased militarization and government responses to perceived threats have led to a suppression of free speech, media freedom, and civic activism. Cases of harassment and intimidation of journalists and political dissenters in the Southeast have been documented, including arbitrary arrests, detention, and prosecution on Trump-up allegations.
“There have been reports of security forces killing individuals outside of the law, eroding public trust. Young people are often arrested and labelled as IPOB members based on flimsy reasons, such as having tattoos. Those arrested have sometimes disappeared, and there are reports of abuse. Arbitrary arrests create opportunities for extortion.
“Attacks on military checkpoints and police personnel have resulted in the killing of soldiers and police officers. These needless and unjustifiable attacks are only creating a cycle of violence, which may lead to generational atrophy.
“We also note the devastating consequences of security forces’ reprisal attacks on communities in the Southeast. These actions have resulted in collective punishment. Entire communities are penalized for the actions of a few, leading to widespread harm and suffering.
“Reprisal attacks have caused fatalities, injuries, and displacement, leaving communities vulnerable and without access to necessities. The destruction of households, properties, and infrastructure has disrupted economic activities, exacerbating poverty and hardship. The attacks have eroded social cohesion, creating an atmosphere of fear, mistrust, and division within communities.”
He argued that it was essential to recognize that such reprisal attacks are not only morally reprehensible but also counterproductive in addressing the underlying issues driving violence in the region.
He noted that instead, they “perpetuate a cycle of violence, fueling further resentment and instability.”
Nwanguma opined that the climate of fear and uncertainty undermines trust in political institutions and hampers effective governance.
He stressed that what needed to happen for change to take place in the southeast is first a responsible political leadership. Another step that will bring about change is inclusive dialogue.
“The government should engage with community leaders, youth organizations, and civil society to address grievances and promote peaceful resolutions. Exclusive focus on military solutions to insecurity has proved to be counterproductive as it fails to address the root causes,” said Nwanguma.
He also said that security sector reform was imperative to ensure that security forces are professional, accountable, impartial, and trained in human rights approaches to create change.
Other important indices for creating change in the region are the promotion of civic engagement, economic development initiatives and media freedom.
He emphasised: “If concrete steps are taken towards addressing the root causes of insecurity and enhancing civic space, the southeast could experience; a decline in violent clashes through peaceful negotiations and effective conflict resolution strategies, an empowered populace actively engaged in governance and civic activities, leading to enhanced accountability.
“Security improvement could attract investment and spur economic growth, contributing to a more stable environment. Conversely, failure to address these issues may lead to continued instability, erosion of trust in institutions, and possible escalation of violence. The future largely hinges on the willingness of all stakeholders to prioritize peacebuilding and community engagement.
“RULAAC calls on Southeast State Governors to engage with community leaders, youth organizations, and civil society to address grievances. This would be a step toward promoting peaceful resolutions and restoring peace, democratic and inclusive governance, and prosperity in Southeast Nigeria.”
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