Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma, Executive Director of RULAAC, has lamented the unending insecurity in the South-East of Nigeria.
He said this at the unveiling of a report on the roots of insecurity in the South-East held in Enugu.
According to him, the report was intended to drive the “true narrative about the nature, roots, patterns, dimensions and effects of current government’s approach to tackling insecurity in South-East.
Nwanguma said though pro-Biafra agitations and insurgency were significant contributors to insecurity in the region, attributing the problem solely to those factors paints an incomplete picture of the situation.
“A lasting solution demands acknowledging the intricate web of additional forces fueling the flames of violence in the region,” he said.
The RULAAC director described as worrisome the increasing control of media outlets by some state governors in the region which has made monitoring human rights abuses difficult.
“This, coupled with absence of strong political opposition and a weakened civil society, allows the government and security agencies to control the narratives and conceal their abuses, ” he said.
In the report, RULAAC, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) said that to rebuild trust and ensure effective law enforcement, certain drastic measures need to be taken urgently.
The 68-page report was anchored by RULAAC in partnership with Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS) with the theme: “A Path Towards Peace, Open Democratic Space, and a Prosperous future.”
The report further recommended amongst others, reforming the Nigeria Police Force; community engagement through dialogue; protecting witnesses and victims; accountability and investigation; and implemention of UN recommendations.
“By implementing these reforms and promoting International collaborations, RULAAC believes the Nigerian government can create a safe environment with accountable law enforcement, fostering trust and respect within the South-East communities,” the report said.
Dr ChiChi Aniagolu, Regional Director, West Africa, Ford Foundation, said it was important for relevant authorities to examine the security situation in the South-East.
She said that without security, the country cannot achieve any meaningful development.
