Senate seeks lasting solutions to insecurity in South-East

Leaders demand end to open grazing

From Jude Chinedu, Enugu

The Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on North-East/South-East Security on Thursday held its Zonal Public Hearing in Enugu, with key political leaders, traditional rulers, security agencies, civil society groups, and other stakeholders brainstorming on lasting solutions to insecurity in the South-East region.

Declaring the summit open, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Austin Akobundu, said the Senate convened the 2025 National Security Summit to harvest practical ideas from Nigerians, especially those directly affected by the worsening security challenges.

“It is my singular honour and privilege to welcome you to the Zonal Hearing of the 10th Senate National Security Summit, 2025, with the theme: ‘Strengthening Nigeria’s National Security Architecture: Innovation, Collaboration and Resilience in a Changing World.’”

Akobundu said the summit was a direct response to the “lingering insecurity” ravaging communities across the country.

“The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, at its sitting of May 2025, resolved to organise a National Security Summit to enable Nigerians, including those directly affected by the security situation, to make inputs to the search for a comprehensive and conclusive solution,” he noted.

He lamented that years of efforts to curb insecurity had failed to yield the desired results, stressing that the consequences on the populace were devastating.

“Whole communities are traumatised and displaced, farmlands abandoned, schools disrupted. The socioeconomic aftermath includes spikes in poverty, hunger, disease and illiteracy,” he said.

On the security situation in the South-East, Senator Akobundu said violent agitation must stop, warning that it was worsening the region’s plight rather than advancing any cause.

“It must be understood in no uncertain terms that violence solves nothing and can never be a pathway to self-determination,” he said. “It can only worsen an already bad situation. We are stronger together.”

While condemning the activities of armed non-state groups enforcing sit-at-home orders, he also pointed to underlying issues that must be addressed.

“The issues of inequity, injustice, marginalisation, unemployment and poverty fueling agitation for separation must be addressed headlong with sincerity of purpose,” he said.

He added that the impact of insecurity on education in the region had become alarming.

“The actions of these non-state actors have left the South-East bleeding. Lives are lost, properties destroyed, people displaced, and schools are now struggling with low enrolment and poor performance in national exams where we once excelled.”

Akobundu also praised governors of the zone for “deploying innovative strategies” to restore peace.

“They make a good example of what we can achieve together if we confront criminality headlong,” he said, assuring that “the Senate stands with you in this mission.”

He pledged that the Senate would rely on recommendations from the summit to amend or repeal outdated laws and enact new ones to strengthen national security.

The Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Uche Ugwu, in his remarks, said the summit was a crucial opportunity for stakeholders to speak honestly about the realities on the ground and propose workable solutions.

“Today’s gathering is an opportunity to listen, to understand, and to suggest solutions based on the realities on ground in the South-East. We’re facing heavy challenges, but when we are united, we will overcome.”

Ugwu stressed that addressing insecurity required a combination of intelligence, economic reforms, and trust-building.

“We must invest in intelligence gathering while not neglecting the economic conditions that make our people, especially our young ones, vulnerable to criminal activities,” he said.

“Most importantly, we need to rebuild trust. When communities trust their security agencies and when leaders speak with one voice, insecurity loses its strength.”

On the long-standing issue of open grazing, the Speaker said the practice continued to threaten peace in the region.

“For instance, open grazing is always against the people of the South-East. I don’t think Nigeria produces more beef than other countries, but it is only in this country that when you are driving along the road, you are disturbed by cattle,” he said.