The South-East Governors Forum has resolved to individually and collectively deal with perpetrators and sponsors of insecurity in the region.

The forum made the declaration in a communique at the end of its first meeting in Enugu on Thursday after the inauguration of the new administrations.

The communique, read by the new chairman of the forum and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, said the perpetrators and their sponsors were criminals and should not be seen as legitimate agitators.

Mr Uzodimma said upon the arrest of those criminals, they would be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the land.

The governors from the five states were present at the meeting, including Charles Soludo of Anambra, Alex Otti of Abia, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi and the host governor, Peter Mbah of Enugu.

It was also the first meeting since Mr Uzodimma emerged as the forum’s chairman.

“We wish to state categorically that the perpetrators of the insecurity in our region and their sponsors are criminals and should not be seen as legitimate agitators,” he said.

He added that the forum resolved to fight insecurity decisively in the region in partnership with the federal government and other stakeholders.

The governor added that the forum resolved to hold a security and economic summit on a date to be announced.

He further commended the security agencies’ cooperation and encouraged them not to relent.

(NAN)