The Forum of South-East Academic Doctors (FOSAD) urgently calls on the governors of the South-East geopolitical zone to prioritize and enhance security measures for the protection of lives and properties in response to the growing threat posed by suspected herdsmen.
With an alarming increase in reports of violence and unrest, particularly in rural communities across the region, it is imperative that the security of South-East residents is immediately addressed with a coordinated and resolute approach.
Recently, a pregnant woman was reportedly raped and stabbed to death by suspected herdsmen at Logara, Ngor Okpala Imo State.
Again herdsmen were reported to have sacked an entire primary school and destroyed farmlands at Ehime Mbano in Imo State. Students in the school were said to been warned by the herdsmen not to report for classes or risk their lives as consequence.
FOSAD is worried about the devastating impact these security challenges are having on the daily lives of citizens, affecting the socio-economic and cultural stability that defines the South-East. These incidents have led to tragic loss of life, displacement, and a climate of fear that undermines public confidence in local governance and state protection.
We, therefore, call on South-East governors to take the following steps:
1. Intensify Security Operations: Strengthen local security agencies and collaborate with federal security forces to conduct patrols and surveillance in vulnerable areas. Strategic coordination with security experts can help anticipate and prevent further escalations.
2. Community Engagement and Support: Establish and support community-based security initiatives that engage local leaders, traditional institutions, and stakeholders. This approach will enable rapid response and community empowerment against criminal elements.
3. Utilize Technology for Surveillance: Invest in technological solutions such as CCTV surveillance, drone monitoring, and alarm systems to provide real-time intelligence and data for quick action and deterrence of criminal activities.
4. Reinforce Legal Measures: Support the enactment and enforcement of laws that safeguard local communities from the adverse impacts of open grazing and trespassing. This will not only create a safer environment but will also ensure accountability for any acts of violence.
5. Create an Economic Plan for Stability: Recognizing that insecurity affects economic growth, it is essential for the government to implement programs that stimulate agriculture, trade, and infrastructure. A secure and stable economic environment will reduce unemployment and discourage criminal tendencies.
The Forum of South-East Academic Doctors remains committed to promoting peace, security, and sustainable development within the South-East. We stand ready to collaborate with the government, civil society, and other stakeholders in devising educational and community-driven solutions that will enhance the security framework across our communities.
We trust that our governors, as leaders of the region, will take decisive steps to restore peace, protect our communities, and uphold the values that are central to the South-East’s resilience.
E-Signed:
Dr Stephen Nwala
President, Forum of South-East Academic Doctors (FOSAD)
Dr Uzor Ngoladi
Secretary General, Forum of South-East Academic Doctors (FOSAD)
