FIC Report (Abia State) – The Federal Government launched a comprehensive new security and national cohesion agenda for the South-East, declaring that lasting peace, regional stability and sustainable development can only be achieved through collective action, community participation, constitutional reforms, economic empowerment and inclusive governance, as top federal and state leaders converged in Umuahia for the maiden 2026 South-East Regional Security Summit.
The Federal Government has declared a new era of collaborative security management in the South-East, reaffirming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to protecting lives and property while strengthening national unity, inclusive development and the One Nigeria project. This initiative is to be feasible through sustained partnership with the people of the region.
The declaration was made at the maiden South-East Regional Security Summit 2026, held at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Abia State, and organised by the Federal Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-East), with the Abia State Government as host.
The summit, themed “Collaborative Approaches to Strengthening Security and Regional Stability,” brought together ministers, governors, lawmakers, service chiefs, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, academics, youth groups, development partners and other stakeholders to fashion a common framework for tackling insecurity across the South-East.
Opening the summit, the Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd.), described the gathering as “the beginning of a new chapter” in the collective quest for peace, security and sustainable development in the region.
He stressed that modern security challenges had become increasingly complex and could no longer be addressed by security agencies alone.
According to him, lasting peace can only be achieved through collaboration, mutual trust, intelligence sharing, strategic partnerships and active community participation.
The Defence Minister said security is a shared responsibility involving government, security agencies, traditional institutions, religious leaders, the private sector, media, civil society organisations, women, youth and every citizen.
He noted that communities become indispensable partners in safeguarding the nation when they provide credible intelligence, promote dialogue, reject violence and encourage peaceful coexistence.
General Musa disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has continued to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture through improved operational capacity, modern equipment, enhanced intelligence gathering, personnel training and stronger inter-agency coordination.
He restated that this approaches are resulting in measurable gains across different theatres of operation.
While acknowledging that the South-East remains one of Nigeria’s foremost centres of enterprise, innovation and commerce, he expressed concern over kidnapping, attacks on security personnel and public infrastructure, violent criminality, youth restiveness, illicit arms proliferation and misinformation.
He stresses that addressing the challenges requires both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies that tackle their root causes.
The Minister challenged participants to produce practical recommendations capable of strengthening existing security structures, deepening regional cooperation and building resilient communities while rejecting divisive narratives that threaten national unity.
Speaking at the summit, the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring lasting peace across the South-East through an integrated strategy combining military operations, intelligence-led policing, judicial accountability, infrastructure development, economic growth, strategic communication and community engagement.
He said President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Administration recognises that security and development are inseparable, noting that investments in roads, rail, power, digital infrastructure, education, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, NELFUND student loans and support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises are deliberate security investments aimed at reducing unemployment and criminal recruitment.
The Minister also highlighted the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Regional Development and the South East Development Commission as major initiatives to accelerate infrastructure renewal and address the developmental priorities of the region.
He warned that misinformation, disinformation and hate speech have become potent weapons exploited by criminal groups to spread fear and undermine national cohesion, stressing that communication now constitutes a critical pillar of national security.
Mohammed Idris urged journalists to uphold professionalism by resisting sensationalism while encouraging responsible information sharing that promotes peace, unity and national development.
He also called on citizens and stakeholders to actively participate in the ongoing constitutional process on State Police, describing it as a historic opportunity to strengthen grassroots policing while preserving Nigeria’s unity and constitutional integrity.
The Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, reaffirmed Abia State’s commitment to regional security, describing peace as the foundation upon which prosperity and sustainable development are built.
Governor Otti said the summit came at a critical period, especially with the approach of the electioneering season, urging political actors to reject violence and guarantee citizens the freedom to exercise their democratic rights without intimidation.
He said his administration has significantly reduced crime through intelligence-driven policing, investment in surveillance technology, incentives for security agencies and sustained public enlightenment campaigns, making criminality increasingly unattractive in Abia State.
“The essence of this summit is not to celebrate past achievements but to map the future and stay ahead of criminals,” the Governor declared.
Representing the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, assured participants of the National Assembly’s commitment to providing the legislative support required to modernise Nigeria’s security institutions.
He noted that security succeeds where partnership flourishes
He added that the summit was not merely about protecting the South-East but about strengthening the unity of Nigeria and restoring public confidence in national institutions.
Governors of Imo, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States, represented by their deputies and the Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, commended President Tinubu for the remarkable progress made in improving national security and pledged continued collaboration in sustaining peace across the South-East.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, advocated stronger regional collaboration, enhanced intelligence sharing and constitutional reforms, insisting that both kinetic and non-kinetic measures remain essential to ending insecurity.
He commended Governor Alex Otti for transforming Abia into one of the safest and most peaceful states in the region.
Delivering the keynote address, former Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika (Rtd.), urged security agencies to distinguish criminals from innocent communities, warning that indiscriminate treatment of entire communities discourages intelligence sharing and weakens the fight against crime.
The summit ended with a collective resolve by the Federal Government, South-East governors, lawmakers, security agencies and critical stakeholders to deepen collaboration, strengthen grassroots security, promote constitutional reforms, combat misinformation and build a peaceful, united and economically prosperous South-East as an integral pillar of a stronger and more united Nigeria.
Abiakam Gloria Ify
HOC FIC Umuahia Abia State.
31st July 2026.
