Ugwuanyi and the burden of insecurity in Enugu

Towards tackling the menace on insecurity in Enugu state, CHUKS NWAEZE writes on how the state government has adopted a rather unpopular measure already causing ripples.

Governments at all levels in the country are bothered about insecurity in the land. There is hardly any state said to be peaceful because investigation reveals that if a state is not battling with kidnapping, it is armed robbery, militancy, farmers/Fulani herdsmen clashes and most importantly Boko Haram insurgency as is prevalent in the North eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

 Just recently, the serene atmosphere synonymous with Sokoto state, Seat of the Caliphate, was ruffled by men of the underworld such that many indigenes of the state had to flee to neighbouring states and even other African countries for safety.

However, of all the troubles that beset Nigeria in recent times, kidnapping and Fulani herdsmen menace seem to top the list because while Fulani herdsmen are fingered for kidnapping and killings, to a large extent, they are also allegedly accused of raping women and armed robbery.

The most recent of such criminalities is the murder of Funke Olakunrin, daughter of a Yoruba chieftain, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, who was returning from Ondo to Lagos but was shot dead. In spite of the hues and cries, the culprits behind Funke’s death, like other crimes, are yet to be apprehended and brought to book.

Worried by these unwholesome happenings in Nigeria, governors of the South eastern states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo recently took a decision with a view to checking insecurity in the region.

Of all the resolutions arrived during the meeting held at Government House Enugu, the governors decided to key into the federal government’s community policing programme which includes the establishment of forest guards in each state so that they can fish out criminals hiding in the forests especially kidnappers and armed robbers as well as the armed herdsmen.

The governors equally took proactive measures aimed at checking crimes on the expressways by clearing bushes along the roads as far as 50 metres so that motorists can have a clear view of the roads ahead should kidnappers or armed robbers be lurking around the bushes with the intent carry out attack.

Swinging into action

Without dragging feet on the ground, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state moved into action immediately to see that he walks the talk as enunciated by the S/east governors’ forum.
 

The first step he took was to set up forest guards of which 1,700 people with 100 persons each chosen from the 17 local governments areas of the state is to make up the team of the guards.

Ugwuanyi did not stop there as he quickly sent a bill against kidnapping to the state assembly of which when passed into law would bring into effect stiff punishment that would serve as punitive measures against kidnapping in the state.

The governor, whose state of Enugu had suffered and still suffering from the menaces of Fulani herdsmen, took proactive and reactive measures by summoning a security meeting of all the neighbourhood watch vigilantes in the state. At the meeting, Ugwuanyi promised to enhance financial inducement for the neighborhood watch personnel to enable them deliver good results.

When in April 2016, armed Fulani herdsmen invaded Ukpabi, Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani local government area and killed many people, he was accused by some sections of the state of doing nothing rather, said to be helplessly looking up to Abuja to come to the rescue of the state. This time around, Ugwuanyi seems to stand tall to protect his people by taking far reaching measures aimed at checking crimes and criminalities in the state.

As if stung by bees, he began by erecting a security post along Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway to be manned by soldiers. At the same time, he has ordered that the bushes around the expressway be cleared. At the moment, work is ongoing by the day in fulfillment of the security check marshalled out by the South-east governors.

Not taking any chances, Ugwuanyi has also taken extra measures by ordering that all caves in Awgu local governments where kidnappers appeared to have made their escape routes be destroyed. Though that is yet to happen, it is likely that the governor would carry out the demolition in order to ensure that kidnappers do not make Awgu and indeed the local government area their safe haven.

In his no-nonsense approach towards ensuring adequate security both in the urban and rural areas, Ugwuanyi ordered traditional rulers to go and live in their respective communities. It is his belief that if the traditional rulers who are the chief custodians of their communities reside in their communities, it would help in ensuring that security of lives and property is protected.

Diverse reactions greet move

While speaking on this development, convener of Voice from the East (VEAST), an Igbo interest group, Comrade Kindness Jonah, said he is being motivated by the killing of a Roman Catholic priest, Rev Fr Paul Offu, along Ihe-Agbudu Road in Awgu local government area of the state.

Jonah, however condemned Ugwuanyi for saying that he would demolish caves at Awgu.

“How can he demolish caves in Awgu. Caves are our endowment from God. How can he demolish them? He should make arrangement to guard the caves instead of demolishing them.

“I know that he is doing all these things because the Reverend father was killed. I like some steps he is taking to check insecurity in the state but I don’t like the idea of demolishing the caves because of kidnapping,” Jonah said.

An indigene of Awgu who would not want his name in print said Gov Ugwuanyi would be making a big mistake should he demolish the caves because of kidnapping.

“We have more than 20 caves in Awgu. Those are our natural endowments and it would be a big mistake if Gov Ugwuanyi should demolish them as he said. What he should do is to develop the caves and make them tourist centres rather than demolish them. If he tries it, our people would never forgive him,” he said.

Recently, members of the state House of Assembly frowned at the level of insecurity in the state and spoke against it especially kidnapping and Fulani herdsmen menace that had been associated with the loss of lives in the state.

I’m ashamed of Nigeria – Law maker

Speaking on a motion of urgent public importance, Hon Oyibo Ugwuanyi, representing Igbo Eze-North1 at the assembly said that proactive steps should be taken to check insecurity in the state. Painting a poor picture of what Fulani herdsmen have been doing in the state, she said she regretted being a Nigerian.

“I regret being a Nigerian because of the government of the day. I am not talking about the government of this state but the federal government.

“I have every reason to support this motion. The reason I am standing here today is because I am involved. Somebody was shot in my community while he was trying to rescue somebody who was about to be kidnapped and he died,” she lamented.

She, like other members who spoke on the touching motion, wanted actions taken, even if it means taking arms and this is exactly what Ugwuanyi has started doing to see that Enugu state is adjudged one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria.

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