Insecurity: Ohanaeze Ndigbo Calls On FG To Establish Local Vigilante To Sustain Peace In Southeast 

P.M.EXPRESS reports as contained in the press release signed by their Deputy President General and National Spokesman, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Chief Chinenyeze Ohia respectively.

The statement read:

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo sociocultural organization, is impelled by its unwavering commitment to the well-being and security of Ndigbo both at home and abroad, to issue this forthright and urgent statement.”

“We recognize and acknowledge with considerable satisfaction that the scourge of insecurity that once grievously afflicted the Southeast, fueled by the nefarious activities of Fulani herdsmen and violent agitators, has demonstrably diminished in recent times.”

“This is a marked improvement from the period between August 2019 and August 2025, a period marred by egregious violence and instability.”

“We therefore, extend our heartfelt gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Security Advisor, Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of Defence, Bello Matawalle, and the Governors of the Southeast states. “Their timely intervention and resolute deployment of joint security forces, spearheaded by the Nigerian Army, have been instrumental in flushing out bandits, kidnappers, perpetrators of organ harvesting, violent non-state actors, and recalcitrant Fulani herdsmen.”

“We commend the diligent efforts of the security apparatus and the courage displayed in confronting these threats.”

“It is with considerable relief that we observe the gradual return of peace to villages and communities previously ravaged by these criminal elements. We are heartened to witness the return of displaced citizens to their ancestral homes, rebuilding their lives and reclaiming their communities as the Yuletide season approaches.”

“However, Ohanaeze Ndigbo issues this urgent and critical alert to the Federal Government and the Governors of the Southeast states: credible intelligence suggests a potential shift in the operational theatre of Northern ISWAP bandits and Boko Haram terrorists. The escalating violence and heightened tensions in the North Central region, particularly in Kwara, Niger, Benue, and Kogi states, where the Nigerian Military is currently engaged, indicate a possible strategic relocation by these terrorist groups. The Southeast and South-South regions, historically perceived as havens for illicit activities, are therefore vulnerable. The Southeast, in this context, risks becoming a safe haven for these northern elements.”

“Consequently, Ohanaeze Ndigbo unequivocally advocates for the immediate establishment and operationalization of COMMUNITY LOCAL VIGILANTE GROUPS across the 95 local government areas of the Southeast. This is a crucial measure to consolidate the peace currently observed, particularly in the boundary communities of Enugu, Ebonyi, and Anambra States. We hold each Governor accountable for prioritizing the implementation of robust security measures and the establishment of local vigilance groups, as a matter of immediate and paramount importance. Failure to act proactively in this regard will be viewed with the utmost gravity, and may be considered a dereliction of duty.”

“Further compounding our concerns are reports, substantiated by credible intelligence and verified social media videos, documenting the influx of a specific brand of BHAJAJ motorcycles, commonly used for terrorism in the northern states, into major cities and towns across the Southeast. We urge heightened vigilance among all residents of the Southeast. Furthermore, in the face of any security breach, Ndigbo must be prepared to exercise their right to SELF-DEFENSE, as a measure of last resort if the need arises. The preservation of life and the protection of our communities are paramount.”

“Furthermore, Ohanaeze Ndigbo implores the Southeast Governors to prioritize the immediate and effective implementation of the Federal Government’s recent ban on open grazing across Nigeria. We demand a formal announcement by the Governors, reiterating the significance of this ban, with a commencement date set for December 2025. Stiff penalties must be enforced against any offenders caught trespassing on farmlands and forests. We further call on the Governors to engage with the Miyetti Allah groups and educate their members operating within the Southeast, emphasizing the dire consequences – potentially life imprisonment or the death penalty – for any Fulani herdsmen caught trespassing or engaging in unauthorized activities.”

“Finally, in the interest of self-preservation and the fundamental right to safety, Ohanaeze Ndigbo strongly recommends that the Federal Government and the National Assembly consider the potential benefits of legalizing the carrying of light arms for self-defense by all adult Nigerians, especially Christian and Muslim worshippers during their religious activities. This measure could act as a significant deterrent and empower citizens to protect themselves and their communities” the group stated.