Southern Solidarity Alliance (SSA) Condemns Rising Insecurity in Southern Nigeria

Southern Solidarity Alliance (SSA) Condemns Rising Insecurity in Southern Nigeria

By Fly Cable News

The Southern Solidarity Alliance (SSA) has condemned the rising spate of insecurity that is affecting Southern Nigeria, calling it an unmitigated failure of governance and law enforcement.

In a statement released recently by the group, it highlighted that the perpetrators of the gruesome murder of over 16 villagers in Ebonyi State, as well as other areas in Southeastern Nigeria, remain at large. This, according to them, is a stark reality of the government’s inability to protect its citizens.

“How is it possible that, in this day and age, those responsible for such heinous acts are still free? The government has stood idly by while innocent men and women are slaughtered,” said Ndubuisi Okafor, National Coordinator of the SSA. The group fears that the perpetrators, emboldened by the lack of action, may be targeting even more vulnerable victims – elderly men and women sleeping in their villages.

The group also expressed horror at the recent violence in Imo State, particularly in Orlu area, where armed criminals, operating freely in the forests, have brought terror to the community. Villagers there are reportedly being kidnapped, maimed, killed, and in some cases, gruesomely mutilated. One viral video showed the decapitation of a victim, while another showed the mutilation of a woman’s body. These disturbing images have sparked outrage and fear across the region, with many questioning how such atrocities could go unpunished.

“These criminals are not just a threat to public safety, they are a direct assault on humanity itself,” the SSA statement reads. “The fact that these acts of barbarism are recorded and shared on social media without any meaningful response from law enforcement speaks volumes about the state of security in the region.”

The group also pointed to another chilling video showing the killing of a young man in Orsu, whose life was snuffed out by a violent group posing as security operatives. The victim, initially accosted while pushing his motorcycle, was subjected to brutal physical violence, which culminated in his death from a gunshot wound.

To add to the growing list of security concerns, the SSA highlighted the kidnapping of Prince Eniola Ojajuni, the Afenifere youth leader, who was abducted on the highway between Ondo and Kogi States. The situation remains tense, as efforts are underway to raise the ransom for his release.

“Where is safe in Southern Nigeria?” the SSA queried, lamenting that the entire region now feels like a war zone, with daily threats to life and property.

The SSA through the National Coordinator, Ndubuisi Okafor is calling on both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the governors of the affected states to take immediate action to address the deteriorating security situation. In their statement, the SSA made several key demands, including:

Technology-driven security measures: The SSA urged all Southern state governments to adopt advanced security technologies, such as AI, drones, and security cameras, to monitor and protect communities. Enugu State has reportedly made strides in this area with the establishment of a command center, and the SSA is calling for other states to follow suit.

The SSA called for better coordination between various security agencies, with direct reporting to the office of the President. They questioned the effectiveness of numerous security checkpoints, especially in the Southeastern part of the country.