The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has commended Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State for breaking the jinx by launching the South-East Security Network codenamed Ebubeagu in the state.

Ohanaeze had asked governors of the South-East to launch the security outfit before December 31, 2021 in their respective states to tackle insecurity in the region.

But less than eight days to the date, Umahi, who is also the Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, launched Ebubeagu in his state.

Ohanaeze, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, on Thursday reminded the governors that security was a collective responsibility, adding, “A security architecture that is delinked with the people cannot identify criminal elements among the people.”

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The statement titled, ‘Ohanaeze Ndigbo salutes Umahi on Ebubeagu’, read in part, “The Ebubeagu security outfit has a direct link with the families, hamlets, villages, town union executives and the traditional rulers of all the communities within the jurisdiction. The security consciousness and network of the above levels of Igbo community administration makes Ebubeagu very unique and imperative.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo commends Governor Umahi for his courage, assertiveness, vision and granite commitment and determination to take Ebonyi State to the next level.”

The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ambassador George Obiozor, had in his Christmas and New Year message last week called on the governors to keep to their promise by rolling out Ebubeagu before December 31, 2021.

This will go a long way to enhance the security situation in the South-East,” he had said.