South-East Leaders Unite, Push Joint Strategy to Tackle Rising Insecurity
Political leaders, security chiefs and key stakeholders have called for stronger regional cooperation to combat crime across Nigeria's South-East, stressing that no single state can effectively address the growing security challenges alone.
The resolution was reached at the First South-East Regional Security Summit held at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Abia State, where participants advocated a coordinated approach to intelligence sharing, policing and community engagement.
The summit, themed “Collaborative Approaches to Strengthening Security and Regional Stability,” brought together the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd.), Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, representatives of the five South-East governors, security agencies, traditional rulers and other stakeholders. Discussions focused on tackling kidnapping, armed violence, cultism, illegal arms proliferation and other security threats affecting the region.
Participants recommended the creation of a shared regional security database to improve intelligence gathering and enable security agencies to track suspected criminals operating across state boundaries. They also advocated greater investment in modern security technologies, including surveillance systems, drones and digital intelligence platforms, arguing that criminal networks have become increasingly sophisticated and require coordinated technological responses.
Speaking at the summit, government officials reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening security through closer collaboration with state governments, traditional institutions, faith-based organisations and local communities. They also encouraged continued support for ongoing constitutional reforms aimed at improving grassroots policing, noting that public participation remains essential to achieving lasting peace and stability across the South-East.
The summit concluded with a renewed commitment to sustained regional cooperation against insecurity, with participants expressing optimism that joint planning, intelligence sharing and coordinated law enforcement operations would enhance public safety and restore confidence across the South-East. Stakeholders agreed that lasting security would depend on consistent collaboration among governments, security agencies and residents throughout the region.
