Controversy has continued to trail the Ebubeagu security outfit since the announcement by the South East governors after their meeting in Owerri. While a few have applauded it many have also thrown stone at it adducing one reason or another. There are very strong reservations against the group drawing from the manner and circumstances that it was formed.
Following the announcement is the criticism that the South East governors are unserious and perhaps playing politics with their claim of forming the group. Those who canvass this view hinge their argument that unlike the Amotekun from the South West there was every preparation made the day it was announced.
These include the display of its insignia, the operational vehicles, the working tools, the personnel, the enabling legislation etc. In what seemed the inability of the federal government to provide security amidst the shout of restructuring many ethnic groups have opted to take measures to protect its own people.
Thus, we have the Hisbah in the North, the Amotekun in the South West and none in the South East. It was reported that much earlier the idea to establish a security outfit was first mooted in the South East ever before the idea was conceived in the South West. The South East governors allegedly in order not to hurt their northern oligarch masters went to sleep.
The Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu formed the Eastern Security Network (ESN) which is now alleged to be the master minds of insecurity in the South East. The officials of the federal authorities have alleged they were responsible for the twin attacks on Owerri Prison and the Imo State Police headquarters even though the group have since denied it.
It is widely speculated that it is in response to check the activities of ESN that the governors woke up from slumber to form the new outfit. Could this really have arisen as an afterthought and how well meaning are the governors who midwife it? Feelers from across the Igbo land have given thumbs down to it.
Reactions from Nnamdi Kanu have warned all those joining the Ebubeagu group to be ready to join their ancestors’ signposting a likely conflict between the two groups. Those who stick with ESN said it was borne out of patriotism to save the helpless Igbo citizens while the governor’s was borne out of politics and vindictiveness.
News Echo wishes to warn that the existence of the two groups will likely increase insecurity within the region rather than abate it given that the founders of the duo are people who are at daggers drawn with each other. It would have been better the governors adopt the ESN and improve on its operation. The governors it must be pointed out by their actions and inactions have since distanced themselves from the led in arresting the security challenges prevailing in the region. Their responses to the numerous herdsmen attack on the lives of the people and their properties have been weak if any that is.
It is doubtful if they will be able to mobilize the support of the people for a successful operation when there is already a group filling the gap, legitimately or not. Again, some of the states are still weighed down by unsettled huge wage bill. Finance remains a critical success factor.
We suggest the governors do another review of their pet project to ensure successful delivery rather than hurrying into it as a counter measure.
