When in 2012, former Governor Rochas Okorocha set up the Imo Security Network, nobody could have envisaged the far-reaching implication of that innocuous initiative to the overall security of lives and properties in the state.
While many hailed the idea as the necessary panacea for the rampant incidents of kidnapping in the state at the time, others, especially among the political class, speculated that the former governor was setting up a ‘private militia’ for political purposes.
Arming non-state actors
Backed by legislation, the operation of the ISN was spread across the 27 council areas of the state and in every autonomous community. The operatives of the ISN were armed by the state with brand new pump-action rifles.
As a matter of fact, between 2012 and 2016, Governor Rochas Okorocha set up four security outfits namely; Imo Security Network (ISN), Imo Community Watch (ICW), Imo Civil Guard (ICG) and Niger Delta Security Network (NDSN). Of all these outfits, only the Imo Civil Guard is not known to bear arms. On an economy scale, no fewer than 1000 pump-action rifles are estimated to have been procured and handed over to these security outfits under the Okorocha administration.
Proliferation of firearms
At the end of Okorocha’s tenure in 2019, the rancorous transition that followed at the emergence of Chief Emeka Ihedioha as governor and the subsequent face-off with Governor Hope Uzodinma, led to the abandonment of the outfits to their own devices by the successors of Okorocha.
It became obvious that the four different security outfits were not documented and poorly supervised.
Without disbanding or disarming the outfits, no fewer than 1000 pump-action rifles landed in the hands of undocumented, non-state actors in Imo state.
Impeccable security sources who confided in our correspondents affirm that the breakdown of security in Imo state following the April 5 jailbreak in Owerri which put nearly 1800 criminals back into circulation in Imo state, was complicated with the availability of firearms which was made possible by the over 1000 pump-action rifles which was already in circulation in the state.
Another security source offered that “no fewer than 7 gunmen arrested or neutralized at the time, were formerly ID-card carrying members of the Imo Security Network, who went rogue after they were seemingly left to their own devices.”
This was actually corroborated by one of the testimonies presented at the Civil Society Public Hearing held in Awka, Anambra State, in 2023.
At the event tagged: “Peace Summit and Public Hearing for Victims of Insecurity/Crime and Human Rights Violations in the South-East”, organized by the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), a victim, (names withheld), who was a member of the Imo Security Network narrated his ordeal following the exit of Okorocha.
“After Okorocha’s exit, we were literally abandoned by his successors who did not even seem to know that we existed. When the security crisis that broke out in the state started, we became targets. We were under pressure to join the IPOB/ESN, we were also pressured and threatened with death by the Simon Ekpa ‘unknown gunmen’. At the time also, soldiers were also after us accusing us of being part of the ESN and unknown gunmen.
“The result was that some of our people, for fear of their lives, joined the ‘Unknown gunmen’, some were killed, some were bundled away by soldiers while others fled their communities. Very few of us submitted our guns to security agencies before fleeing our communities.”
This is the illustration of the chaos that followed and how brand-new pump-action rifles procured by the state for security, fell into the hands of hostile non-state actors.
The present concern is that the new security outfit put together by Governor Hope Uzodinma, Imo Security
Organization widely known as “Ebubeagu” may pose a more lethal threat to security in Imo state, if it is wrongly managed like its predecessors.
Also backed by legislation, findings indicate that the Ebubeagu outfit in Imo operates under the supervision of the Department of State Services (DSS) against expectations that the Police would have been better suited for that.
Notwithstanding, the formation of Ebubeagu has been trailed by controversies as many individuals and organizations have called for the outright disbandment of the group, while others raised the alarm that a huge percentage of its personnel are men hired from Rivers State and armed by the state.
Presently, a worrisome concern is being mooted by residents of the state, who are still smarting from the consequences of Okorocha’s oversight in the management of vigilante outfits.
The concern is that the Director of DSS could be redeployed to another state someday and Governor Hope Uzodinma’s tenure will definitely come to an end; would there have been any mechanism put in place to seamlessly transition these ‘unprofessional gunmen’ to another administration?
With hundreds of Ebubeagu operatives scattered across the state, some armed with pump-action rifles and a few others with AK-47 assault rifles, will it be feasible to disarm and demobilize them?
Okorocha had legislation backing his many security outfits yet they were abandoned. Would incoming administrations respect the legislation backing the formation of Ebubeagu outfit in Imo state?
The concern is that if such transition is mismanaged yet again, the security burden therefrom, will worsen the security situation in the state and Imo would have lost all the grounds gained in the fight against insecurity.
Sometime in February during an interview, Sir Temple Onyeukwu, a former House of Representatives candidate said in part: “The restoration of peace in Imo State must start with Governor Hope Uzodinma agreeing with the President and Commander-In-Chief, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to disengage Asari Dokubo’s private security from our dear state. They appear to be responsible for simulating the insecurity in the state at their will and use the opportunity to carry out their atrocities. No security, no economic growth and no industrial development.”
Anambra State
In the year 2001 then governor of Anambra state Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju set up the Anambra State Vigilante Services (AVS) through a state legislation.
The security outfit was popularly known as “Bakassi Boys” who were charged with the responsibility of fighting armed robbery and other violent crimes in the state.
At some point in the course of doing their work, the Bakassi Boys became a tool for intimidation of political opponents, in the hands of the Governor.
It also gave impetus to the establishment of a fake Bakassi Boys outfit, which left in its trail gory stories of extrajudicial killings of innocent people.
Before the exit of Mbadinuju a special Strike Force from the federal government clamped down on them and arrested some members of the group which led to the banning of the outfit.
Most of the Bakassi Boys at the time left with their guns and no effort was made to recover those arms.
Governor Chris Ngige’s administration also set up a vigilante outfit and new members were recruited. Fresh arms were provided for the new outfit.
Mr. Peter Obi inherited the outfit on assumption of office, they only lasted for a few months with little or no attention from the Obi administration and when the group discontinued operation, they as well disappeared with their arms.
Enugu State
In Enugu state, the situation is different and more encouraging. The former Governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi had set up a security outfit by the name, Neighborhood Watch and backed it with legislation in 2016.
At the end of Ugwuanyi’s tenure, the outfit which was closely supervised by senior government officials, was seamlessly transitioned and inherited by Ugwuanyi’s successor, Mr. Peter Mbah.
By February 2024, Governor Peter Mbah commenced efforts to deepen and broaden the legislative framework covering the operations of the outfit.
The new bill would ensure that operatives of the group were incorporated into the Enugu State Civil Service, which would make them eligible to earn pensions after retirement.
The Bill is particular about the outfit having a well-structured payment and its operatives not being paupers who depended on charity and handouts to get by.Enugu State is by all indications, an example of how Vigilante outfits can be managed to offer value to the state and all concerned.
Reactions:
When contacted, the Special Adviser on Homeland Security to the Imo State government, Hon. Modestus Osakwe neither took his calls nor replied to text messages as at news time.
However, a source close to the government who craved anonymity told our correspondent that he believes Uzodinma will manage the situation differently and better.
His words: “Well, I can tell you that the circumstances are different and no two governors are the same. Remember that Uzodinma assumed office when Imo was almost overrun by criminals through some incidental and some contrived assault on the state government, but he was firm and decisive in confronting and surmounting the security challenges at the time.
“I can also tell you for certain that after setting up a security system that works in the state, Uzodinma cannot and would not allow anybody or group to sabotage the present peace and security status of the Imo state.”
Culled from Sunday Telegraph;
Written by Steve Uzoechi and Okey Maduforo
