The South-East Governor’s Forum has reiterated its support for establishing state police given the current security challenges in Nigeria.

On Sunday, the Chairman of the forum, Governor David Umahi, disclosed this in a communique issued at the end of the governors’ security meeting with opinion leaders in the region in Enugu.

The governor noted that the forum had set up a committee to work out acceptable modalities for state policing and would submit the same to the National Economic Council (NEC).

“The meeting is in support of restructuring, the setting up of state police and other national issues as discussed at the last NEC meeting.

“A committee has been set up to work out acceptable modalities and submit the same to NEC in its next meeting,” he said.

He added that the meeting reiterated its support for adopting a common joint security outfit code-named ‘Ebube Agu’ with its regional headquarters in Enugu.

According to him, the regional outfit will work with police and other security agencies to protect lives and property in the South-East.

“We agreed on the structure and operational modalities of Ebube Agu and also set up an advisory board for the security outfit,” said Mr Umahi.

Mr Umahi explained that the forum had directed attorney generals and justice commissioners in the South-East to amend existing state laws to give legal backing to the joint security outfit.

The governors stated that they had directed the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, George Obiozor, to form two committees to ensure peaceful coexistence in the South-East.

The governor named the two committees to include Peace and Reconciliation Committee and Strategy and Welfare Committee.

“We condemn the recent attack on the home country of Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo and other state infrastructure.

“The governors and leaders sympathised with the governor and called on the federal government to fish out the perpetrators and ensure their prosecution,” he said.

(NAN)