There is no gainsaying the fact that Nigeria is facing huge security challenges.
This security situation is being cut across all the six geopolitical zones with each of them having different nomenclature, with different modus operandi.
In any case, in the North West zone, bandits seemed to be having an upper hand in the security while North East are faced with ISWAP and Boko Haram insurgents.
Also in the North Central, kidnappers are running amok across the region while South South and South West have….
However, in the south East region, criminal elements popularly known as Unknown gunmen are having a field day, killing and maiming those they perceive as the enemies of Biafra actualization.
They even go as far as setting security posts such as police stations and vigilante offices ablaze.
WITHIN NIGERIA took a look at how states in the south East are grappling with this security situation and their method of ameliorating them.
Enugu state
On December 15, 2025, Governor Peter Mbah launched a revitalized, heavily armed Enugu State Forest Guard.
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that the new forest guards are equipped with high-tech drones, Hilux vehicles, and motorcycles, to combat kidnapping, illegal mining/logging, and farmer-herder conflicts.
Source revealed that the initiative, aimed at securing rural areas, involves professionalizing the force with retrained personnel under the Enugu State Security Trust Fund initiative.
Terms of reference of the guards
Following the growing insecurity in the region, the guards are tasked with protecting forests and nearby communities, tackling kidnapping, and curbing criminal activities inside rural forests.
Again, the force is equipped with sophisticated weapons, high-tech drones, 10 Hilux patrol vehicles, 40 motorcycles, and bulletproof vests to enhance their surveillance and tactical capabilities.
It was also gathered that the unit was overhauled, with new leadership appointed to oversee operations. These guards were made up of resident youths between 20-45, vetted by local leaders, and features training designed to improve rural security.
These forest Guards are designed to work with other security agencies (police, NSCDC) to specifically secure rural areas. The initiative follows the South East Governors’ Forum approval, marking a move toward regional security collaboration.
Our reporter gathered that since the establishment of this guard, the incessant killing of innocent citizens by the Unknown Gunmen has drastically reduced.
Though the herders attacks in some communities in the region are still active, the frequency has gone done.
Imo state
On January 10, 2026, the Imp state governor established the Imp state Vigilance Services Organisation to.combat the illegal activities of Unknown Gunmen and other criminal elements in the state.
The governor unveiled the security outfit at the passing out parade of 7000 newly trained operatives of the vigilance group.
In his speech, the governor said members of the organisation will serve as “eyes and ears” in the communities and are equipped with essential skills for intelligence gathering.
The governor further stated that the group’s establishment is backed by the Imo State Security Organisation Amendment Law No. 3 of 2025 and will help to “nip insecurity in the bud”.
In his words, “as a state, we have witnessed a transformation. This past Christmas, our communities celebrated without incidents of molestation, a testament to the return of calm and order,” Uzodimma said.
“We must work every day to keep the peace we have earned.
“We have worked too hard to build this new Imo. Any attempt to incite violence will not be tolerated. The era of constant fear is gone and now behind us.”
“When the right hand washes the left, and the left washes the right, both hands become clean,” he added, urging community engagement in the fight against insecurity.”
Recall that in 2021, Imo was among the five south-east states that established Ebubeagu a regional security outfit, to combat insecurity.
Abia state
Following growing security threat by unknown gunmen in the state and the collapse of Ebubeagu regional security outfit, Abia State governor, Dr Alex Otti, on August 19, 2023 inaugurated a security outfit tagged: “Operation Crush” (OC) to address increasing cases of kidnappings, armed robberies and other crimes in the state.
The governor also distributed 20 patrol vans fitted with communication gadgets for security agencies in the state.
Speaking during the event at Okpara Square Events Centre in Umuahia, the state capital, Otti said Operation Crush was a planned and coordinated response against crime in line with his resolve to end the crime rate in the state.
He further stressed that the outfit will address crimes anywhere in the state by identifying criminals’ hideouts and counter incidences with superior tools.
He lamented that many citizens and passers-by had fallen victims of crimes in the state, especially kidnapping, in which they lost their lives and property, and reportedly paid huge sums as ransoms to regain their freedom.
Otti said the scenario had negatively impacted on security of life and property, investments, as well as scared potential investors.
He listed Ummunnechi, Isuikwuato, Uturu, and Lokpaukwu axis as the most vulnerable, saying economic activities have been shut down in the areas as criminals set up camps in the bushes.
According to Dr. Otti, “From today, Abia State will no longer share our territory with criminals. Criminals should leave our state immediately or risk decimation by our superior forces.”
The governor tasked the outfit to dislodge the criminals from their hideouts, be ruthless to them and those that harbour them and give them assistance.
He said the state government is collaborating with the Federal Government towards improving the welfare of security personnel.
Otti, who urged stakeholders in the state to collaborate to ensure security and the desired success of Operation Crush in the state, said telephone hotlines would immediately be circulated through which security agencies in the state could be contacted with necessary information, adding that the other logistics would be deployed to Local Councils and communities in the state.
Ebonyi state
Following the ban on Ebubeagu regional outfit, the then Ebonyi state government established two new security outfits; Ebonyi State Neighbourhood Watch and Ebonyi State Vigilante Corps.
The immediate past governor of the state, David Umahi announced the establishment on February 18, 2023.
Umahi said Ebubeagu would only function in the state once a Stay of Execution is granted.
He disclosed that the state now has two new security outfits, Ebonyi State Neighbourhood Watch and Ebonyi State Vigilante Corps.
“However, let me thank the House of Assembly for passing into law another two sets of vigilante outfits for Ebonyi State, which process started in 2021, but they graciously passed it a few days ago, and that is Ebonyi State Neighbourhood Watch.
“Let me say that we have had this Neighbourhood Watch even before now, as far back as 2015, and they did tremendously very well, so the law is back, and they are empowered to function.
“Another vigilante that has come into effect is the Ebonyi State Vigilante Corps, and this will also function in the state. I am hereby inaugurating these new outfits officially today, and by the laws of the state, they are empowered to function. However, when Ebubeagu comes back to do their jobs and these two vigilante outfits, my directive is that they must not infringe on the rights of anybody,” Umahi said.
The governor encouraged all the state’s security chiefs to deal with any member of political parties, vigilante groups or Ebonyi citizens who attempted to violate people’s rights or instigate them to commit acts of violence.
Unknown Gunmen on rampage in the state
Despite the establishment of the two security outfits in the state, the activities of the unknown gun men have continued to fester.
For instance on May 25, 2024, no fewer than three persons were confirmed dead at Akpoha junction of Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State after a heavy shooting by the unknown gunmen, who were said to have been heavily armed during the attack.
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that the victims of the attack includes, Egwu Nicholas Nwocha, Emmanuel Nwocha (Ebubeagu security outfit) iInya Blessing Orieoma.
After the incident, it was reported that the Police took the corpses to a Mortuary at Mater Hospital, Afikpo.
An eye witness reports that the four unidentified gunmen came with sophisticated AK47 rifles in two motorcycles and left uncaught through Afikpo/Amasiri road axis of the State.
However, bullet shells from the sophisticated weapons were seen littered everywhere as the Police picked the ones they saw at the scene of crime.
“The situation in Akpoha is tense having recalled that last year similar situation occurred and our youths are being slaughtered and murdered in cold blood and the assailants will go without any trace.
“We the good people of Akpoha call on government to come to our rescue and mount security posts along Akpoha Afikpo road to minimize the incidence of killing of Akpoha Youths.”
The Police Public Relations Officer of Ebonyi State Police Command, DSP Joshua Ukandu who confirmed the incident said the Police had embarked on a manhunt to apprehend the suspects.
Anambra state
Anambra state is also not left out in the rising activities of Unknown Gunmen in the south East zone.
In any case, as a result of this, on January 2025 Governor Chukwuma Soludo inaugurated the state security system, code named ‘Operation Udo ga Achi’ (Operation Peace Shall Reign).
The initial facilities were 200 vehicles and more than 2,000 personnel dedicated to combating crime in the state.
According to the governor, the move is in a bid to making the State more safe place for its citizens, businesses and investors.
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that this is an offshoot of the signing of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025 by the Governor at the unveiling ceremony of ‘Operation Udo Ga-Achi’.
According to Prof. Soludo, “the ‘Operation Udo Ga-Achi’ personnel will be equipped with the best-in class tracking system, a command-and-control system which enhances the use of voice, video and data in security management, deploying Artificial Intelligence-powered surveillance cameras to cover the communities in Anambra, and walkie Talkies, among other facilities.
“It will also have special task forces on drugs, touting, cultism, and criminal idolatry, and will be active in all parts of the state, with patrols and pin-down stop-and-search operations as necessary.
“This will be enhanced with the State Call Centre with the toll-free lines 5111 and 08002200008, and the 112 number for emergency communication from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).”
Soludo affirmed that this special intervention complements regular policing by upscaling intelligence gathering, reward whistleblowers, enhance rapid response, and urgently root out the criminals from any camp in Anambra.
The newly established Agunchemba is a strong intervention force that will be agile and mobile, underscoring that effective kinetic architecture will require a simultaneous interplay of bottom-up and top-bottom forces.
Given that, Soludo affirmed that security requires a collective effort between various authorities in the state and to further deepen his stance on crime reduction.
He said his government will partner with the Commissioner of Police and DSS to identify the top 10 LGAs with history of violent crimes. and to pay a bonus of N10 million every month to any that records zero rate.violent crime. Also, a reward of N5million, depending on the class of the criminal), for whistleblowers and anyone with credible information for the arrest of kidnappers/armed robbers or criminals in a camp.
