The Senate Adhoc Committee on South-East/North East, as part of the 2025 National Security Summit, has assured the people of the South East of its commitment to restoring normalcy and adequate security in the region.
Senator Austin Akobundu, Chairman of the committee, gave the assurance during the summit held in Enugu yesterday. The event carried the theme: “Strengthening Nigeria’s National Security Architecture: Innovation, Collaboration and Resilience in a Changing World.”
Stakeholders at the summit included representatives from traditional and religious institutions, President-Generals of communities, security agencies, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, civil society, and political office holders. Akobundu emphasized that the National Assembly would continue to play a critical role in ensuring sustained inter-agency collaboration among security forces in the South East.
The chairman assured that adequate resources required for restoring the South East to peace and progress would not only be appropriated but also released promptly. He commended the efforts of security agencies, traditional and religious leaders, the media, and other stakeholders in tackling the security challenges in the region. “I put this clarion call out to them not to rest on their oars but to continue to work in collaboration until our collective goals are achieved,” he said.
Akobundu further highlighted the significance of the summit as a platform for Nigerians, including those directly affected by insecurity, to contribute to a comprehensive and lasting solution. He noted that despite years of concerted efforts, insecurity persists, leaving communities traumatised, displacing people, disrupting schools, and damaging farmlands.
The committee chairman stressed the severe socio-economic impact of the insecurity, including rising poverty, hunger, disease, and illiteracy. He also noted that violent tactics, including the enforcement of sit-at-home orders on Mondays, have negatively affected the region’s economy and hindered the educational achievements for which the South East had been known.
In his remarks, Mr. Uche Ugwu, Speaker of the Enugu House of Assembly, described the summit as a valuable opportunity to understand the root causes of insecurity and propose solutions. He urged strong partnerships among governments, communities, security agencies, traditional institutions, youth groups, and civil society to restore peace and stability to the South East.
