Insecurity: Bandits, Herdsmen Reportedly Operate From 950 Bases In South East
A human rights group, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), has raised concerns over the alleged occupation of more than 950 sites—mainly forested areas—across the South East by armed bandits, herdsmen, and kidnappers.
According to Intersociety’s findings, these groups use the occupied locations as operational bases for criminal activities including kidnapping, murder, and assault. The report, released by the group’s Chairman Comrade Emeka Umeagbalasi, revealed that the 950 identified hideouts are scattered across over 800 communities, amounting to roughly 40% of the 1,940 communities within the South East geopolitical zone. Umeagbalasi criticized the South East governors for their alleged failure to secure their states, accusing them of enabling land access to the invaders. He claimed that some state and community leaders were complicit, allegedly issuing Certificates of Occupancy to the herders in exchange for promises of electoral and post-election support.
He said:
“Our research shows that the South East region comprises 1,940 Igbo communities—Abia (771), Imo (700), Enugu (190), Anambra (183), and Ebonyi (96)—spanning a total landmass of 29,525 km², significantly smaller than Niger State’s 76,363 km².”
He further alleged that all governors in the region are implicated in facilitating access to land for these hostile groups, pointing to their silence on violent attacks as a sign of complicity.
“Their unwillingness to condemn the violent and genocidal activities of Fulani herdsmen and similar groups, or act decisively as the Chief Security Officers of their states, suggests they are not unaware of the dangers,” Umeagbalasi added, citing comparable experiences in Benue, Plateau, and Southern Kaduna.
He urged governors to take immediate action to protect the South East from escalating insecurity.
Oborevwori: No Blanket Plan to Dissolve Cabinet
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Monday dismissed speculations about a general plan to dissolve the State Executive Council, stating that such claims were unfounded.
Speaking during the commissioning of eight new duplexes at the Commissioners’ Quarters in Asaba, Governor Oborevwori clarified that performance—not hearsay—would determine each commissioner’s tenure.
“There’s been talk that I plan to dissolve the cabinet. That’s simply not true. Many of these people haven’t even heard from me directly,” he said.
He praised commissioners for their dedication but emphasized that non-performing members would be removed.
“I’ve told some individuals already—they’re not performing. If you’re effective, you stay. If you’re not, we’ll let you go,” the governor stated.
He urged commissioners to take initiative and be visible in their roles:
“Commissioners should be proactive. If we don’t see or hear from you, how do you expect progress? You must bring energy and innovation to your ministry.”
Oborevwori reiterated his administration’s focus on accountability, asserting that each commissioner would be held responsible for their ministry’s success or failure.
He also highlighted the state’s ongoing development projects:
“We have numerous projects to commission, and we’ll do our best to cover as much as possible before the year ends.”
Using the federal government’s recent commissioning strategy as a model, the governor said Delta would adopt a similar approach in Warri, grouping project inaugurations into a single, centralized event.
The newly inaugurated duplexes comprise eight four-bedroom units, each with two attached boys’ quarters. The initiative was driven by the need to accommodate more commissioners, given that only 22 residential units previously existed.
The Commissioner for Finance, Chief Fidelis Tilije, thanked the governor for his support and requested the renovation of the older quarters. Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Godknows Angele, detailed the project’s features and commended the governor for ensuring its successful completion.