The South-East Governors Forum says insecurity in the geopolitical zone has gone beyond the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The governors warned criminals that have styled themselves as IPOB or its security outfit, Eastern Security Network (ESN) to desist or face the consequences.
The governors spoke through a statement signed by Chairman of the forum and Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi after a virtual meeting on Wednesday.
“We warn all criminals who have styled themselves as IPOB/ESN to kill our people to immediately stop.
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“We are aware that the insecurity and killings in South East have gone beyond IPOB/ESN as any criminal finds it easy to hide under such a name to commit crimes. We are determined to do everything to protect the lives and properties of our people.
“Our youths are advised to leverage on the various empowerment and agricultural programmes by our Governors to better their lives.”
The governors promised to investigate the alleged beheading of two policemen in Anambra State.
“We condemn in strong terms the video clip and write-up we saw in some social and print media where two policemen were said to have been killed and their heads cut-off by youths who styled themselves as members of IPOB/ESN.
“We have resolved among ourselves to work with security agencies to determine the authenticity of this video/report and if found to be true, to apprehend the perpetrators by all possible means to face the law.
“We are aware of similar videos in the past and which when subjected to forensic review were found out to have happened outside Nigeria.
“We assure Nigerians, especially the Police community, that we will not rest until we have done justice to this matter,” the governors said.