A coalition of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the civil society organisations (CSO) has called on the South-East governors to collaborate more to implement regional security initiatives.
The coalition urged the governors to take a cue from their counterparts in the South-West.
It made the call in a communique issued at the end of a two-day South-East stakeholders summit On peace and security and public hearing on human rights violations, held in Enugu on Monday.
The communique was signed by Okechukwu Nwanguma, executive director of Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) on behalf of CSOs and Sabastine Anyia, 1st Vice President of NBA for the association.
The summit x-rayed the interplay between insecurity and human rights violations or abuses in the Southeast and their interconnectedness with activities of both state and non-state actors.
It blamed the situation on rising cultism among youths, exploration of natural resources, inadequacy of security responses, proliferation of arms and lack of inclusive governance.
The coalition also noted that the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu ‘in disregard of several stakeholders’ appeals in compliance with court orders and the need for political resolution’ was exacerbating the situation.
According to the group, there is a need for enhanced coordination among the Southeast governors to implement regional security initiatives, taking cue from the Southwest governors.
“Corruption and the politicisation of security challenges continue to impede effective responses; the Police should not be used for regime protection or repression and suppression of dissent democratic expression.
“The emergence of state-backed security outfits such as Agunechemba in Anambra has sparked concerns over human rights violations, requiring oversight and accountability measures,” he said.
The coalition said the shrinking civic space and increasing fear of reprisals have weakened advocacy efforts as insecurity in Southeast had taken the forms of armed robbery, kidnapping, extrajudicial killings and unlawful detentions.
They called for regulation of state-backed security outfits: government-backed security groups, special or tactical units of the police such as Rapid Response Squad in Anambra and Tiger Base in Imo state.
The coalition also called for the setting up of a Human Rights Bureau at the end of the summit and adoption of a collaborative security framework.
“The continued existence of clandestine detention facilities and reports of forced disappearances necessitate urgent interventions should be checked to ensure due process and accountability by the judiciary.
“Security agencies must adhere to legal protocols and respect human rights while conducting operations to avoid further violations and erosion of public trust.
“The South-East Governors’ Forum should be strengthened to serve as a mechanism for monitoring security activities in the region, pulling resources and strengthening the surveillance system in the region.
“The federal government should heed numerous calls for the release of Nnamdi Kanu.
“This will help in de-escalation. The issues are essentially political and can only be resolved through political solution,” he said.
(NAN)
