The Federal Government has renewed calls for active collaboration with political, traditional, and socio-cultural leaders across the South-East region to combat persistent security challenges, including violent attacks, kidnapping, and enforcing unlawful sit-at-home mandates.
The initiative comes as federal security authorities step up intelligence-driven operations and technology deployments aimed at neutralizing non-state armed groups operating along forest corridors and rural borders in the region.
Key Areas of Federal-Regional Collaboration
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Community Intelligence Integration: Security agencies are urging South-East state governments, community leaders, and royal fathers to strengthen grassroots information sharing to help expose criminal hideouts and logistics networks.
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Decentralized Security Frameworks: Following ongoing National Assembly debates on state policing, federal authorities and Southern socio-cultural blocs—including Ohanaeze Ndigbo—are aligning strategies to ensure local security outfits work seamlessly alongside federal troops.
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Economic Protection Mandate: The partnership aims to fully restore uninterrupted economic activities, secure major transport routes, and safeguard critical public infrastructure across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ SOUTH-EAST SECURITY COLLABORATION MATRIX │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Convening Stakeholders: Federal Ministry of Defence, Office of the │
│ NSA, South-East Governors' Forum, & Ohanaeze. │
│ │
│ • Core Focus Areas : Neutralizing armed groups, eradicating enforced│
│ sit-at-home actions, and securing transit corridors.│
│ │
│ • Key Mechanisms : Intelligence sharing, Joint Task Force ops, │
│ and community policing integration. │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
(Sources: Defence Headquarters & South-East Governors’ Forum Briefings)
“Security Requires Universal Support”
Speaking on the need for coordinated action between local communities and national security structures, military and government representatives emphasized that lasting peace relies on mutual trust and shared responsibility:
“The security of every region is a joint responsibility. Restoring permanent peace and stability to the South-East requires sustained synergy between local stakeholders, traditional institutions, and our security forces to eliminate criminal elements and foster economic growth.” — Federal Security Directorate Statement
Consultations between South-East governors, security chiefs, and federal officials are expected to continue in Abuja to fine-tune joint operational protocols.
Ayodele Quadri
Correspondent
