Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has expressed worry over the prevailing lawlessness and general state of insecurity in the country, especially the Southeast.

It, however, commended governors of the Southeast for the ongoing initiatives to collectively address the challenges.

The editors also applauded Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, for his infrastructure development and for improving security in the state.

In a statement after its Standing Committee meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, signed by the President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, NGE noted that governments at all levels have the primary purpose of securing life and property, regretting that the prevailing situation in some states was an abdication of that sacred responsibility.

“The Guild has observed that the insecurity in these areas has led to the needless loss of hundreds of innocent lives and adversely affected social activities, as well as the nation’s economy.

“We hope the security summit in Owerri, initiated by the governors in the zone, billed for September 28 and 29 – expected to feature major stakeholders in the zone, will help to address the issues,” the statement added.

The editors, who were in Bayelsa for three days, said Diri had, in the past few years, prioritised security and construction of roads to connect all the local councils, including areas that were hitherto unreachable by road.

NGE also commended the Bayelsa government for using drones to distribute medicine in the state, in partnership with Zipline, an innovation that made distribution of needed medicines to hospitals and health centres in rural areas seamless and effective.

The editors described the abduction and subsequent killing of a reporter with Voice of Nigeria (VON), in Zamfara State, Hamisu Danjibga, as frightening and tasked security agencies to investigate the matter.

They also expressed concern over the recent abduction of 33 persons, including 24 students of Federal University, Gusau (FUGUS).