By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh

The Igbo Community Association (ICA) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has called on South-East governors to immediately establish and deploy armed forest guards to secure forests and flush out criminal elements from the region.

ICA said this in reaction to recent attack on a church in Enugu state and the rising spate of insecurity in the South-East region in a statement by its President-General, Nze (Engr) Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe.

The group called upon the leaders and governors of the South-East and all Igbo-speaking regions to rise and address the rapidly unraveling security situation across the nation.

“It is with deep regret that we note Nigeria has become increasingly unsafe for its ordinary citizens. A dangerous tandem of marauding bandits, militant herdsmen, and extremist elements has made it perilous to operate freely in most rural and urban communities across the country.

” The recent brazen attack on a Catholic church in Enugu State is an atrocity that cannot—and will not—be allowed to repeat itself. This heinous act has crossed the red line. The perpetrators have touched the tail of a sleeping lion and dared the great elephant. This attack serves as the last straw,” the Statement reads.

Nze Ezenekwe further noted that the Igbo people are inherently peaceful and progressive.

“We have historically cooperated and coexisted with people of all ethnicities across Nigeria. Let it be strictly on record that we are not engaged in any farmer-herder clash with any ethnic group, nor have we ever launched deliberate attacks on others. We are simply facing unprovoked aggression,” he added.

According to him, while the ICA FCT commends the current crop of South-East Governors for their good performance in office thus far, the time has come for decisive security action.

He said: “We strongly urge our governors to emulate the proactive measures taken by Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, by immediately establishing and deploying armed forest guards to secure our forests and flush out these criminal elements.

” We must act now; it is already getting late. We cannot afford to wait for the bureaucratic implementation of State Police to secure our lives and properties.

“From all indications, previous non-state security arrangements, including the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and the security outfit established by the outlawed IPOB, have collapsed or been abandoned. This has left a dangerous security vacuum in our region—a vacuum that must be legitimately and urgently filled by our state governments.

” We do not need another national embarrassment or tragedy like the recent incident at the Catholic Church in Enugu State. The move to establish armed forest guards is not just necessary; it is a matter of survival.”