By Charles Igbo
A group, the South-east, South-south Professionals of Nigeria, SESSPN, has decried the incessant attacks and killings of the Police in the South-east.
In a statement dated March 25, 2021, signed by the President, Hannibal Uwaifo ESQ, and Publicity Secretary, Collins Steve Ugwu, after an emergency meeting of the Board of Trustees and Executive Council, the group described the situation as scary and wicked.
In the past several weeks, a number of Police officers have been killed and Police Stations and Divisions burnt down in a targeted and coordinated attack.
The coordinated attacks have been most in the South-east states of Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo. The attacks, the group said, will definitely put the
social and economic situation in the South-east in jeopardy, and reduce the region to one where lawlessness reigns.
Following is the full statement by the SESSPN on the ill-advised attacks against the Police.
THESE ATTACKS AGAINST THE POLICE IN SOUTH EAST MUST END NOW.
“1.The South East South South Professionals of Nigeria (SESSPN) after an emergency BOT/EXCO meeting, hereby condemns in the strongest possible terms, the current targeted killings of the policemen, setting their stations on fire, and carting away of their arms and ammunitions, particularly in Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.
“2.This obviously coordinated and viciously executed killings of the personnel in the armed formations are grave extra-legal brigandage that must not be allowed to gain traction given its heavy collateral damage to law and order, much less be tolerated to spread and fester.
“3.We share the concerns of the affected states and call on the Governor of Anambra State to lead the rally against this murderous binge for arms, and forestall decisively, the attempt to intimidate the civil populace, cow the police and the law enforcement agencies to abandon their duties, and give anarchy a free reign.
“4.We appeal to all layers of governments in the South East to be united in courage to inspire the people with confidence to overcome this variant of gangsters, as they coordinate & share intelligence to nip this worrisome embarrassment on the bud.
“5.We will stand shoulder to shoulder in support to all state actors, individuals and groups committed to eradicating these elements, operating outside and beyond the law, bent to create mayhem and institutionalise disorder.
“6 We advise that these wicked attempts to put the economic and social prospects of our states and nationalities into combustible pressures, by patrons and sponsors of these criminalities be quickly unmasked with despatch, and the culprits made to face the fullest deterrence of the law.
“7.We urge that, given the scary dimensions of our current national history with insurgents & bandits, their swift mutations & alliances, an inter regional approach should be considered, while states responses are supported and complimented by all with single resolve, cohesion and non political party considerations.
“8. SESSPN stands ready and determined to do all within its professional capacity, to activate and energize the processes of confidence building and security sensitization in all its space of influence, to draw attention to the imperatives for sustainable economic and educational transformation of our regions as the critical drivers for enduring peace and rapid development.”
Until recently, the South-east used to be the most peaceful zone in the country.
But violent and vicious crimes have taken over, and worsened with the violent attacks against law enforcement agents, especially, the Police.
