Sir: Undoubtedly, from the outset of his administration, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu State made security of lives and properties a top priority, knowing full well that it is the primary responsibility of government. That was why Mbah didn’t hesitate to take on the non state actors and enforcers of the Monday IPOB sit-at-home and banned the order immediately.

As the residents and people of the state relish the gains of the recovery and reclaiming of their very important Mondays and the defeats of the promoters and enforcers of the illegal order, it is not surprising that some of the remnant recidivists, criminal herders and their collaborators, who have been dislodged from their strongholds and hideouts by Mbah’s government in collaboration with security agents, have relocated and regrouped in some targeted soft spots and fringes in some parts of the state, there by heightening the security situation in the state.

Evidence of Mbah government and security agents’ efforts in that direction was the recent neutralisation, killing, and arrest of some enforcers of sit-at-home at Mgbowo in Awgu Local Government Area of the state and other places in that axis. Also, some weeks ago, a gallant Mobile Police officer lost his life in a gun duel with kidnappers along Nike- Ugwuogo-Opi road in which two kidnappers were gunned down and their arms were recovered.

Nevertheless, the situation along Nike-Ugwuogo-Opi road calls for introspection, retrospection, and change of strategy. While it is a fact that security issues and strategies are not for public discussions or debates to curb sabotage, there is a need for the top security hierarchies to profile their personnel on duty in that axis. A situation where there is increased presence of security personnel along the road and kidnappers are still striking or operating calls for more questions and thorough investigations.

Why I will not agree hook, line and sinker the social media rumours making rounds that security personnel and locals living around the axis are confidants, collaborators and accomplices of the kidnappers operating on that road, it would be suicidal, retrogressive and counterproductive gloating and glossing over such weighty allegation and rumours.

This is because where the child is crying and pointing somewhere, if his father is not there, the mother will be there. Before now, some surviving victims of kidnapping along the road have made similar allegation while sharing their experiences with the kidnappers.

Intense surveillance, proper profiling and thorough investigation of the activities of security personnel on duty and locals along the road will help the security agencies and Mbah’s government to unravel the mystery surrounding the incessant kidnapping for ransom along the road, despite government’s concerted and unrelenting efforts alongside security agents in the state.

Nevertheless, Enugu remains one of the safest and most peaceful state. This is in consideration of the security situation in the country, particularly in Southeast region.

Samson Ezea.