A PRO-DEMOCRACY group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has faulted South East governors over what it described as persistent security gaps in the region.

The group’s criticism followed a reported attack in Enugu State that left several people feared dead and heightened tension in surrounding communities.

HURIWA said the incident around Awgu Junction, near the Federal College of Education, Enugu, shows what it called weak coordination and ineffective response to recurring insecurity in parts of the South East.

In a statement issued yesterday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA urged state governors in the region, particularly Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, to adopt more decisive and coordinated security measures.

Describing the situation as unacceptable, the group said, “The continuous attacks on communities in the South East are provocative, despicable and absolutely intolerable.”

Residents were said to have gathered along major roads in panic following the attack, as security tensions spread across nearby communities.

HURIWA argued that despite repeated announcements of security initiatives by state governments, including the establishment of forest guards and local security outfits, the expected improvement in safety has not been achieved.

It said the persistence of violent incidents in Enugu, Imo and Anambra States raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of existing security structures.

According to the group, whilst media reports suggest that South East governors are making efforts to confront insecurity, the reality on the ground shows that these measures have not yielded the desired results.

The association also called for better coordination in the deployment of local security formations, insisting that such structures must be properly directed toward combating armed groups operating in forests and rural communities.

HURIWA further criticised what it described as the politicisation of state-backed vigilante groups, warning that such tendencies weaken their effectiveness in addressing security threats.

While acknowledging the presence of law-abiding residents of different ethnic backgrounds in the region, the group urged state authorities to ensure full enforcement of laws restricting open grazing and related activities in urban centres and farmlands.

“The governors of the South East must prioritise the protection of lives over political considerations. Security of citizens cannot be secondary to any other interest,” the group added.

HURIWA also pointed to what it described as relative stability in Abia State, attributing it to improved security coordination under Governor Alex Otti.

The group called for urgent collaboration among South East governors, security agencies and community stakeholders to strengthen intelligence gathering and improve response to emerging threats.

It warned that continued insecurity could further erode public confidence unless practical steps are taken to address the situation.