Worsening cases of ritual killings, kidnappings, and the unchecked activities of secessionist groups and criminal gangs have prompted states in the South-East, particularly Enugu and Anambra, to introduce new laws and review security strategies in a bid to contain emerging threats.
While urban residents in the region enjoy relative calm, rural communities remain gripped by fear, with many reporting a surge in ritual-related murders and abductions. According to sources, the current security crisis is partly linked to the failure of the South-East governors to implement the regional security outfit, Ebubeagu, which was proposed in 2021. Designed to operate like the South-West’s Amotekun, Ebubeagu was expected to work alongside security agencies and coordinate vigilante groups. However, the initiative stalled due to disagreements over funding, operational structure, and trust issues among its initiators. Most of the governors who conceived the plan have since left office, with only Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, remaining.
With insecurity persisting, some current governors have turned to legislative measures and technological innovations to safeguard lives and property. In Enugu State, Governor Peter Mbah recently appointed retired Army Colonel Dan Didiugwu and retired Deputy Commissioner of Police Olamitisoji Akinbamilayo to lead the state’s forest and environmental guards. The move aligns with Mbah’s broader strategy, which includes deploying artificial intelligence, surveillance cameras, and patrol vehicles fitted with modern communication tools across urban areas.
However, rural communities continue to suffer brutal attacks. On June 15, suspected herdsmen stormed Aguamede, Eha-Amufu in Isi-Uzo Local Council, killing at least 10 people. A similar attack in nearby Mbuji had claimed four lives just a week earlier.
The state government also demolished a criminal hideout disguised as a worship centre in Onicha-Enugu-Ezike on June 6. Investigations revealed that the facility, operated by a self-styled prophet, Chinedu Ezedike, was being used for ritual practices and kidnappings. Just weeks earlier, a spiritualist had killed four children from the same family in Ibagwa-Aka, Igboeze South Local Council, using a pestle. Another disturbing case emerged on May 26 when a 13-year-old girl was rescued from a suspected ritualist in Ezeagu Local Council. Two decomposing bodies were also found in his compound.
These incidents prompted the Enugu State government to send a new security bill to the House of Assembly, seeking to regulate the activities of native doctors and herbalists.
Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra had earlier taken similar steps. In January, he signed the Homeland Security Law 2025, which established the Agunechemba security outfit. The law was introduced following a wave of kidnappings, ritual killings, and criminal activities. It incorporates technology, including AI-powered surveillance and advanced tracking systems, and deploys over 2,000 security personnel across the state. The law prescribes stiff penalties for administering charms for wealth, kidnapping, and other crimes. It also led to a clampdown on native doctors and spiritualists, forcing many out of the state.
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, followed suit in May, updating the state’s Homeland Security Act to include the creation of a Forest Guard. He also launched a security fund-raising campaign to further bolster safety across the state.
In Imo State, a new strategy may be underway following a recent directive banning open grazing by July 24. The state’s Commissioner for Livestock Development, Anthony Mgbeahurike, warned herders against disrupting urban life, although he did not indicate whether a new law would follow.
Security experts believe these isolated efforts may not be enough. They argue that the South-East governors must work together on a joint security platform. A Port Harcourt-based consultant, Joakin Uche, stressed that when Anambra expelled criminal spiritualists, many relocated to neighbouring states, escalating insecurity there. He called for regional coordination.
Similarly, civil rights activist Gregory Uwadiegwu urged vigilance in the implementation of the new laws. He warned against abuse of power and stressed the need for trustworthy personnel in newly formed security outfits.
Legal experts like John Nwobodo support the enactment of targeted security laws but advocate for due process. He called for judicial oversight in demolishing properties linked to crimes and suggested repurposing such structures for public use. He also recommended tougher penalties to deter offenders.
As security threats evolve across the South-East, it remains clear that a combination of legislative reforms, technology, and regional cooperation may hold the key to restoring peace and stability in the region.
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