Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, yesterday said that armed robbery, kidnapping and cultism remain prevalent in the south-eastern states of Nigeria and Delta State.

The IGP spoke while chaired a regional security summit held at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State. He gave an assurance that the police will collaborate with the governors to ensure that they provide security in the zone.

He noted that the initiative by the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, to hold a security conference not just for his state in partnership with sister governors in order to form an alliance on ways to ensure the security of the states in the zone was a noble idea.

The conference was attended by all the governors of the zone except for the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, and his Ebonyi counterpart, who represented by his SSG, Prof Bernard Odo. Also in attendance was the Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

Speaking in a welcome address, the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, said that with the resolve of the governors, who though new on the saddle have made sterling commitment to end violent crimes, criminal activities in the South-East would be a thing of the past.

He noted that his decision to spear head the conference was based on the success his government had achieved in the area of security adding that there is the tendency that neighbouring states would suffer the consequences as the hoodlums may run to their states as a succour, hence the resolve to partner state governors in the zone and Delta which is a neighbouring state to Anambra State.

The conference which also featured an interactive session saw stakeholders barring their minds on ways to combat crime in the zone and Delta State.

Contributing his quota, the leader of Peoples Progressive Alliance in the state, Chief Godwin Ezeemo, called for the establishment of a central information collation point saying that the establishment of centre will help people who are in distress to call a dedicated line as is practiced abroad.

He noted that the process will require more funds for security and a total alertness from security agencies to move immediately a call comes in.

The governors of Delta, Enugu, Abia and Ebonyi states; Ifeanyi Okowa, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Okezie Ikpeazu and Dave Umahi who was represented by Prof Bernard Odoh all eulogised the Anambra Governor, and also pledged support to ensure that the zone is rid of criminal elements.

The conference which had its theme as “Security: bedrock of governance” was well attended by several dignitaries which include the Director-General of the Department of State Security (DSS), Hauwal Musa Daura, federal lawmakers, state legislators from all the participating states, monarchs and security bosses of all security agencies.

•Photo by Pamela Eboh shows the governors seated during yesterday’s security summit in Amawbia, Awka, Anambra State.

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