Ending insecurity in S’East: Group advocates use of non-kinetic approach

A civil society group called Peace in the South-East Project (PISE-P) says it is engaging prominent Nigerians in its ongoing advocacy for the use of a non-kinetic approach to ending the protracted security challenges in the zone.

The PISE-P Head of Media, Mrs. Mary Ikoku, disclosed this in a statement, entitled “Tackling insecurity in the South-East," made available to the newsmen in Umuahia on Thursday.

Ikoku stated that the group was carrying out intensive advocacy among influential South-Easterners and other Nigerians for an immediate resolution of the security crisis in the region “through peaceful dialogue.”.

She explained that the group was optimistic that the menace could be permanently resolved through a non-kinetic approach.

“The non-kinetic approach will take into cognizance the culture of the people, their behavioural patterns, and we say ‘engage them in dialogue’.

“It will also help to ensure a better understanding of what their issues are and address them to bring the South-East back to the glorious past of how it used to be.

“We insist on a non-kinetic approach to ending the conflict because the military approach, involving the use of brute force, has failed.

“Hence our recommendation for the use of dialogue to settle the grievances of the people of the region,” Ikoku stated.

She emphasised that the group was convinced that insecurity in the zone was aggravated by the Federal Government’s failure to respond to the grievances and concerns of the people of the region through dialogue.

“We blame the problem on the lack of appropriate federal government response to the popular grievances raised by individuals and groups from the region,” the statement added.

Ikoku regretted the costly socio-economic impact of the security breaches on the zone.

According to her, the South-East is losing billions of naira daily due to the crisis.

She maintained that PISE-P was deeply worried by the activities of non-state actors, “who terrorise their people daily and make life more difficult for them and their communities.”.

She, therefore, underscored the need for the adoption of dialogue between the state and non-state actors to end the conflict.

The group expressed concern that insecurity in the region was also affecting other parts of the country, arguing that “whatever affects the region affects the nation.”.

Ikoku was upbeat that the group’s advocacy “is receiving vast acceptance from across the stakeholders.”.

She stated that the group would rely on PISE-P’s eight pillars “as tools for the rebuilding of the battered economy of the region when peace is finally achieved.”.

She stated: “We are looking at the seven to eight pillars of the PISE-P, such as the building of tech hubs across the region and the resuscitation of the apprenticeship system of mentorship known to the Igbo.

“The other essential pillars include the development of agriculture, entertainment, transportation, culture, and tourism, in addition to the provision of good leadership,” Ikoku, a communication expert, further stated.