The Federal Government, South-East governors and other key stakeholders have agreed to deepen collaboration to address the persistent insecurity confronting the South-East, with a renewed commitment to intelligence sharing, coordinated operations and stronger community engagement.

The resolution emerged at the maiden South-East Regional Security Summit held on Thursday, where the Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Musa, called on governors and stakeholders from the region to work closely with the Federal Government to develop lasting solutions to insecurity and restore peace.

The summit, themed “Collaborative Approaches to Strengthening Security and Regional Stability,” was organised by the Federal Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement.

Addressing participants, Musa said the forum was designed to strengthen cooperation among the Federal Government, state governments, security agencies and host communities in tackling security threats that transcend state boundaries.

He said the summit focused on enhancing intelligence sharing, coordinating security operations and promoting community participation in efforts to combat insecurity.

According to the Defence Minister, the meeting comes against the backdrop of growing concerns over kidnappings, attacks on security personnel, the violent enforcement of illegal sit-at-home orders, armed criminality and other threats that continue to undermine economic activities and public safety across the South-East.

He described the region as one renowned for enterprise, economic vibrancy and development, but lamented that criminal activities had continued to erode its enormous potential.

Musa said President Bola Tinubu remained committed to restoring lasting peace and stability in the South-East and urged governors to use the summit as a platform to present their peculiar security challenges, provide credible intelligence and propose practical solutions, particularly those aimed at addressing youth restiveness.

“The gathering is designed to foster stronger collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, security agencies and communities in developing coordinated strategies for restoring peace, improving intelligence sharing and enhancing regional stability,” he said.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, reaffirmed the commitment of South-East governors to confronting insecurity, describing security as the bedrock of development and prosperity.

Delivering a paper titled “Security and Freedom,” Otti said the Nigerian Constitution clearly places the security and welfare of citizens as the primary responsibility of government.

He stressed that sustainable development would remain elusive unless citizens could pursue their legitimate activities without fear of violence, harassment or criminal attacks.

“Our duty as leaders is to evolve initiatives that make it impossible for the merchants of anarchy to operate freely within our country,” he said.

Otti added that his administration had continued to work closely with security agencies to make Abia State increasingly hostile to criminal elements.

Other South-East governors also pledged sustained collaboration with the Federal Government and security agencies to improve security across the region.

Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah was represented by his deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai; Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo by his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim; Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Moses Ije Odunwa; while Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma was represented by his Special Adviser on Security, retired Brig.-Gen. Joseph Chima Ogbonna.

In their separate goodwill messages, they pledged to strengthen partnerships with community leaders, security agencies and the Federal Government to improve safety and maintain peace in their respective states.

Participants at the summit deliberated on practical measures to improve inter-state security cooperation, intelligence gathering, community policing and other initiatives aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in the South-East.

The summit brought together security chiefs, federal and state government officials, lawmakers, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to explore collaborative approaches to addressing the region’s security challenges.

Among those in attendance were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua; the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, represented by Major Hilary Nnabukwu; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu; and the Minister of Information, Science and Technology, alongside other senior government officials.