The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has urged governors and other leaders in the South-East to strengthen collaboration with the Federal Government to achieve lasting peace and improve security across the region.
Musa made the call on Thursday while declaring open the maiden South-East Security Summit in Umuahia, organised by the Federal Ministry of Defence in partnership with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-East).
Describing the South-East as a region renowned for its economic potential and entrepreneurial drive, the minister expressed concern that the activities of criminal elements continue to undermine peace, security and development.
He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains committed to restoring stability across the South-East and other parts of the country, explaining that the summit was convened to generate practical and lasting solutions to the region’s security challenges.
Musa disclosed that the Federal Government has adopted a new approach to tackling insecurity and called on governors, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to work in synergy to create a safer environment for residents and attract greater investment to the region.
He also urged participants to use the summit as a platform to present the South-East’s security concerns to the Federal Government while proposing practical solutions, including strategies to address youth restiveness.
Speaking at the event, Abia State Governor Alex Otti reaffirmed the commitment of South-East governors to sustaining peace and strengthening security across the region.
Otti said his administration is working closely with security agencies to make Abia State inhospitable to criminal activities. He also called on residents to see security as a collective responsibility by rejecting crime and supporting law enforcement agencies.
Representatives of the governors of Imo, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi states likewise pledged continued collaboration with community leaders, security agencies and the Federal Government to address insecurity and promote lasting peace across the South-East.
