In a strategic move to decentralize and formalize local security governance, Iheukwumere Alaribe, the Chairman of Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area (LGA) in Imo State, has convened a pivotal meeting with the council’s traditional rulers. This initiative moves beyond rhetoric, establishing a concrete operational framework aimed at strengthening grassroots security through institutional collaboration.
The chairman’s approach is significant for its clarity in the chain of command. He explicitly reaffirmed the constitutional and cultural authority of the monarchs, designating them unequivocally as the Chief Security Officers (CSOs) of their autonomous communities. This distinction from the President General’s role is crucial; it centralizes intelligence gathering and decision-making with the traditional institution, which often possesses deeper socio-cultural intelligence and legitimacy. Alaribe emphasized that the safety of lives and property is the administration’s top priority, achievable only through a synergistic partnership between the council and these community pillars.
“Effective security is not a solo endeavor,” Alaribe stated. “I call on all our traditional rulers to work closely with the council and local security outfits. The timely sharing of information and intelligence is our most potent tool to identify and neutralize threats before they escalate into crises.”
The cornerstone of this new framework is a structured reporting protocol for local vigilante groups. In a decisive policy shift, Alaribe announced that vigilantes in each autonomous community are now mandated to report to their traditional ruler twice weekly. These sessions are not mere check-ins; they are designed for proper re-evaluation, strategic briefing, and formal signing of attendance. This measure serves multiple purposes: it ensures vigilantes are directly accountable to the recognized CSO, provides a regular forum for assessing threats, and creates an official record of local security manpower and engagement. The chairman clarified that this arrangement is a proactive local measure that will remain in effect pending any official directives from the Imo State government.
This policy is not born in a vacuum. Alaribe commended the existing collaboration between the council and traditional rulers, highlighting it as the foundation for recent successes. He cited a tangible example: the traditional rulers of Amuzu Ward provided critical information and intelligence that enabled the council to effectively address and displace herders whose activities were causing tension within Aboh Mbaise LGA. This case study underscores the practical value of leveraging traditional networks for actionable intelligence.
The broader context of this meeting points to a growing trend across Nigeria’s South-East, where local governments are crafting hyper-local responses to complex security challenges. By formally integrating traditional rulers and structuring vigilante activities, Aboh Mbaise is attempting to create a more resilient, community-owned security architecture that complements state and federal efforts.
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