Minister of Defense, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has appealed to governors and other leaders of the South-East to collaborate with the Federal Government to ensure lasting security and peace in the region.
The minister made the call in Umuahia on Thursday while opening the first South-East security summit organized by the Federal Ministry of Defense in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement – South-East.
Musa, who described the South-East as a place of economic vibrancy and development, lamented that the activities of some criminal elements are posing challenges to the region.
He noted that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is interested in the peace and stability of the South-East and other regions, which he said, made the Ministry of Defense to convene the security summit.
The minister noted that a new strategy is being applied in tackling insecurity in the country, and urged the governors and other leaders of the South-East to work in united focus to make the zone safe for citizens.
He appealed to South-East leaders to use the summit to list out to the Federal Government, their security challenges and provide credible information and ideas that could address youth restiveness.
In his speech at the summit, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State said that the South-East governors are committed to making the region peaceful and secure.
Otti, who said that his administration is collaborating with security agencies in making Abia uncomfortable for criminals, urged the people to see security as everyone’s business and to shun crimes.
Governors of Imo, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi states who were represented at the security summit promised to sustain collaboration with community leaders and the Federal Government in securing their states.
