HURIWA Urges South-East Governors To Unite Against Insecurity

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged the six South-East governors to unite and adopt a common regional strategy to tackle insecurity following the reported recovery of 28 human skulls and other human remains from suspected criminal camps in Abia State.

The remains were reportedly recovered from suspected criminal camps in Umuaku and Nneato forests in Umunneochi Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, on Tuesday, HURIWA said the discovery exposed the grave security threat facing communities in the region and required urgent and coordinated action by the governors.

The association urged the governors to strengthen intelligence sharing, coordinate security operations and support security agencies with credible information and logistics needed to dismantle criminal hideouts across the region.

HURIWA said the security challenge also threatened the economic future of the South-East, stressing that insecurity could discourage investment, job creation and other economic activities.

It therefore urged the governors to treat security and economic development as interconnected priorities and work together to create a safer environment for businesses and citizens.

The association also warned against the politicisation of armed vigilante groups, saying they should operate strictly to protect lives and property.

HURIWA said community-based security groups could complement conventional security agencies, but should be subjected to clear rules of engagement, proper training, accountability and respect for human rights.

It welcomed the prospect of state police, saying properly structured state policing could improve the capacity of governments to confront kidnappers, terrorists and other armed criminal groups.

The association, however, called for strong constitutional and institutional safeguards to prevent governors and other political actors from abusing state police for partisan purposes.

HURIWA also urged residents across the South-East to support legitimate security operations by providing credible intelligence on suspicious movements, criminal activities and suspected hideouts.

It called on the Abia State Police Command and other relevant agencies to conduct a thorough forensic investigation into the recovered human remains, identify the victims and establish the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

HURIWA said families of missing persons deserved answers and urged security agencies to pursue every credible lead to identify the victims and bring those responsible to justice.

The association further called for sustained security operations against criminal camps and stronger cooperation among the governors, security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and residents.

It urged the South-East governors to put aside political differences and work collectively to restore security and public confidence across the region.