Invest In Security, AC Tells S’East Govs

The Lagos chapter of the AC has urged governors of Southeastern states to invest in security to stem the tide of increasing crime rate in the region.

The party said in a statement that “kidnappers have turned the South East states into a horror of sorts, where life is nasty, brutish and short’’.

The statement, signed by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr Joe Igbokwe, noted that kidnapping for money had become a big business in the area.

“The brightest and best from the old Eastern region now fear to go home during festive periods, which has been the culture of Igbo people, for fear of being kidnapped or killed.

“What we thought was a little problem that will fizzle out with time, has become a huge problem that is threatening to destroy the economy of the South East,’’ it said.

The statement said it had become clear that such criminal activities would require creative thinking, constructive engagement and affirmative actions to nip it in the bud.

“We can build all the bridges, all the roads, all the beautiful houses and homes, all the industries, all the schools, all the banks, but they are useless if security cannot be guaranteed.

“It is the duty of the governors of their respective states to protect their citizens. We cannot wait until the hoodlums kidnap a sitting governor before we do something’’ it added.

The party stressed the need to device a new approach, new ways and methods of dealing with the challenge.

It suggested that the governors in the region should each buy three helicopters and work with communications companies to track such criminals.