We Are Reviewing Southeast Security, Says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed a review of the security situation in the Southeast, his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Mallam Garba Shehu, said yesterday.

The directive followed Saturday’s attack on the Owerri country home of Ohanaeze Ndigbo President-General Prof. Geroge Obiozor in Imo State.

According to a statement by Shehu, the review initiated by the President is to address the escalation of violence in the Southeast.

The President was reacting to the recent violent developments in the region, particularly Imo State, where unidentified persons have destroyed properties worth millions of naira, including some police facilities and Prof Obiozor home.

The President, who condemned violence and its attendant destruction, urged the people of the region, especially in Imo State, to maintain peace, the statement said.

In the early hours of Saturday, some gunmen, whose identities, were yet to be identified, attacked Ohanaeze leader’s home in Awo-Omamma, Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State.

They set fire to the house and reportedly torched other houses believed to belong to the professor’s brother.

The statement reads: “President Muhammadu Buhari, Sunday strongly condemned as ‘deeply distressing’ the destruction in Imo State, of buildings and assets of the police and the home of Prof George Obiozor, the President-General of the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, and a leading voice of moderation in the affairs of the country.

“The President, who strongly condemned the violence in the sub-region, urged everyone to maintain peace, adding that the law and order situation in the entire Southeast is being reviewed.

“While this is being done, President Buhari called on the people of Imo State in particular and the sub-region in general, to maintain peace as the police and other agencies are working to ensure that normalcy is restored at the earliest.

“He extends sympathies to the police authorities over the losses of men and materials, and to Prof Obiozor, who he urged to maintain his commitment to the peace and oneness of the Federation against these odds.”

Two police personnel were reportedly gunned down on Saturday when some unidentified gunmen attacked a police station in Umuguma, Owerri West Local Government Area of the state.

Also yesterday, four gunmen were killed by the security operatives in a botched attack on another police station in the Southeast state.

The gunmen met their waterloo when then launched an attack on the Omuma Divisional Police Headquarters in Oru East Local Government in the early hours of yesterday.

Spokesman of the State Police Command, Mike Abatam, who confirmed the development, said the attackers were repelled.