The spate of destruction of lives and properties in the South-East geo-political zone has become a source of worry to governments and other stakeholders in the region, writes CHIDIEBUBE OKEOMA.

Before now, the South-East region had remained peaceful and accommodating to all. Things however began to fall apart since February this year, barely 4 months after the nationwide #EndSARS protest which turned violent. From attacks on FG formations like police commands and divisions, offices of INEC and courts to killing of clerics and traditional rulers, the level of insecurity in the region has become unimaginable.

More horrifying is the fact that travellers are ambushed on many occasions. While some lost their lives, others were injured. Residents of the zone, known for their economic independence, groaned as anguish became daily occurrence in their lives.

In Imo State, the onslaught began in February with attack on Obowo LGA Divisional Police HQ where some policemen were killed while suspects in custody were freed before the facility was set ablaze by ‘unknown’ gunmen. Subsequently on April 5, Owerri Correctional Centre and Imo State Police Command in Owerri were attacked. No fewer that 1,884 inmates were freed and the prison facility burnt while one of the inmates died during the stampede. At the command HQ same day, over 50 vehicles were burnt with all suspects freed. The attackers also hit a military checkpoint along Owerri-Onitsha Road and set ablaze 2 military men on duty.

Again, the hoodlums struck on 24 April 2021, attacking the country home of the state Governor, Hope Uzodinma. Some security operatives and the bandits lost their lives during a shootout. Since then, over 20 security formations have been attacked with many cops killed. The unending onslaught remains the biggest security threat since creation of the state.

Again, the Izombe, Isu, Omuma and Attah police divisional HQs were also attacked with many people losing their lives. There was a failed attempt on Imo Police Command HQ on June 6 which led to killing of Dragon, a suspected commander of the ESN and others. That was a major breakthrough in the fight by security operatives against the repeated attacks in the state. On May 24, two persons were killed at Ohaji/Egbema during a gun duel between security operatives and suspected bandits.

Statistics have it that over 180 people including soldiers, policemen and DSS operatives lost their lives in the last 6 to 7 months in the South-East. INEC offices in parts of the region were not left out as attacks continued unabated. May 29, INEC office in Njaba LGA was razed. Njaba and Orsu police divisional police HQs were also invaded July 30 and August 5 respectively with one policeman losing his life. The one that caused serious panic in the state was the killing of an Anglican priest on September 14 in Orsu LGA. The cleric was said to be protective of students who were sitting the WASSC Exam, to ensure they were not attacked.

On September 15, an Imo-based lawyer, Darlington, was killed in front of a supermarket in Orlu, one of the places known for violence since insecurity started in the zone. On August 16, four oil workers at Ohaji in Imo State were killed. On June 1, a German-based Nigerian, Oguchi Unachukwu was killed at the toll gate of Imo airport by suspected security operatives.

May 30, an Imo-based businessman, Noel Chigbu was killed by suspected military men in Owerri. Before then, precisely April 24, an undergraduate of Imo State University, Divine Nwaneri, was killed in front of Imo Government House. The following day, a motorist was also shot dead at almost the same point. Three persons were beheaded in Orlu community on August 2. On August 1, there was an attack at hotel in Orlu. On July 29 a motorist was beheaded at Okwudor in Njaba LGA.

In all these, the police spokesperson in Imo State, Micheal Abattam, observed that the state had witnessed a new but progressive approach of policing and security since the current Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Hussaini, took over in the state. Abattam said the Imo Police Command was getting maximum support from the state government, and urged residents to avail security operatives with vital info to arrest security infractions in the state.

Similarly, Anambra State, which is set for a governorship election on November 6, has recorded killings of security operatives and civilians, including Dr Chike Akunyili, widower of a former Minister of Information, Dora Akunyili, while many houses and vehicles had been set ablaze in the state by marauding gunmen. Four naval officers were said to have lost their lives to ‘unknown’ gunmen’s attack in the state.

However, spokesman for Anambra State Police Command, Ikenga Tochukwu, insisted the security outfit was winning the war against brazen and bizarre attacks on innocent residents of the state. He added, “We have been bold in confronting all security challenges and threats and indeed have recorded several successes in curbing these security challenges.

“The Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, on assumption of office oon8 October 2021 undertook a critical threat analysis and embark on painstaking intelligence gathering through strategic deployment of our intelligence assets, robust synergy with sister security agencies, organised vigilante groups and other stakeholders and we are daily evolving in our strategies to tackle security challenges as they emerge.”

In Enugu State, 24 persons were killed by gunmen, while four INEC offices and two police stations were set ablaze in the last six months. Ebonyi State is not left out as it has at a point experienced its share of insecurity in the South-East. Three cases of arson were recorded in five attacks in the last six months.

Abia State, where the leader of the proscribed IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, hails from has so far witnessed 7 attacks on security formations. Miffed by the level of destruction of lives and properties, the South-East governors have through the Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, David Umahi of Ebonyi State, condemned the rate of insecurity in the zone. Umahi had maintained that those behind the killings and destruction of properties were people from the region, even as he pleaded that such dastardly acts should end.

“We condemn in totality the insecurity in South-East orchestrated by our own people who are tagged unknown gunmen and I appeal on behalf of the governors that this should come to a stop. We are very mobile people; restricting our people is to destroy us and I am sure that every man and woman in the South-East knows that.”

Speaking on the security situation in the zone, National President of the Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders, Goodluck Ibem, said the FG’s approach to leadership was fuelling insecurity in the zone. “The insecurity ravaging the South-East geopolitical zone today is a result of lopsided appointments made by President Muhammadu Buhari which favour only the northern part of the country that has predominantly his tribesmen; Fulani.

“So, before you can solve a particular problem completely without scratching it on the surface, you first of all look at the root cause of the problem. President Buhari’s nepotistic approach to governance brought about the present insecurity ravaging the South-East zone today and by extension the entire country. Instead of the President to address issues bordering on the killings by Fulani herdsmen and lopsided appointments raised by IPOB, he ordered security agencies to start killing Igbo youths for daring to protest against his style of leadership.

“One should ask why we had peace and tranquillity when Goodluck Jonathan was President. The answer is simple. He understands the diversity of Nigeria and carried every component of the federation along. No segment was left out. Moving forward, the FG should provide employment for our youths that are roaming the streets without jobs. The Federal government should make Ndigbo feel the impact of governance by appointing South-East indigenes into federal positions.

“A South-East son or daughter should be appointed a security chief. You cannot hold any security meeting about South-East without anyone from that zone; it cannot work. Only someone who understands a particular terrain can know how to police such a place. It will amount to beating around the bush if no one from the South-East is a member of the National Security Council.

“The Federal Character principle should be adopted in appointments into federal parastatals so that all geopolitical zones in the country will be fully represented in the country. Appointing only northerners mostly of the Fulani tribe and believing nothing will happen is totally wrong. The local government council that was created to bring government closer to the people have been totally defeated.

“Governors have hijacked the money meant to cater for local dwellers. These have really caused restiveness among our youths at local level. The constitution should be amended so that INEC will conduct all elections from the local government council elections to the presidential elections. The FG should release Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB and send him back to London where he is a citizen. The way he was taken away from Kenya is wrong. It is an international offence. People are very angry that Kanu was given such treatment because he is an Igboman.”

President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council, Igboayaka O. igboayaka, described insecurity in the zone as an offshoot of the marginalisation of the zone by the FG. He added, “The insecurity in South-East is an effect of the way separatist groups were treated. First, the Federal Government should negotiate and engage in a dialogue with all pro-Biafra groups.

“There should be institutionalisation of community security network in all communities in the South-East. Again, the effect of drug abuse among the youths is evidence of the violence we see today. Therefore, rehabilitation centres should be established to re-orient our youths. The South-East governors should collaborate with the Federal Government to fight unemployment. Lack of job and idleness contribute to youth restiveness and crime.”

Adding his voice, National President of Igbo National Council, Chilos Godsent, proposed a stakeholders’ advocacy meeting with major stakeholders in the conflict as one of the steps to ending the insecurity. “I call for Igbo Nation Youth Security summit, training and inauguration of 250 peace monitors in the South-East region of Nigeria,” Godsent added.

Speaking on the insecurity that has pervaded the region, the Zonal Police PRO, Zone 9 (covering Abia, Imo and Ebonyi states), Kingsley Iredibia, maintained that the police were doing their best to stem the tide of killings, arson and other criminalities within its area of coverage. “Recently, the spate of violence or killings has reduced in Imo and Abia states because there is synergy among security agencies to curb the ugly trend. These security agencies have carried the war to the doorsteps of the unknown gunmen in Zone 9 and the intelligence being provided and gathered is helping to fight the attackers.

“Also, good spirited Nigerians are now on the same page with the police in fighting violent upsurge in the zone. They have also condemned the wrong approaches in seeking for self-determination by the attackers. Even Ohanaeze Ndigbo has come up via a communiqué and they said they were not happy with the approach perpetrators of these crimes adopted to seek self-determination. Also, youths in the zone have started being realistic and saying that it’s their land that is in crisis. They visited the AIG the other day and said they would partner with the police to fight these attackers.

“Therefore, the police in the South-East are doing their best to control this situation, but when there is an incident in a particular place, a federal force will always be drafted to go there and assist. Outside this country, whenever there is trouble, our men used to go for foreign mission. So, as a way of helping to assist the security forces on the ground here, the Inspector General of Police, from time to time, sends federal forces here to compliment efforts of those on the ground.”

However, several calls put across to the spokesperson of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Owerri, Captain Joseph Akuga, were not answered. Also a text message sent to him to explain the unending security breaches in Imo State and its environs was not replied.

-- With additional report by Edward Nnachi and Tony O Okafor.
https://punchng.com/south-east-and-burden-of-endless-killings/

The DSS has the money to act any kind of scripts, and issue statements to blame any body they hate. They can also pay for publications like this in print and online media to support their script.

They have a budget to spend money after all.

Notice that it's the Yoruba press and their online hoodlums that are parroting this narrative that the South East is a killing field? You think it's a coincidence? Obviously some people whose existence depends on Aso Rock are desperately trying to demarket the South East politically by flooding the whole place with unknown gunmen, then use their gbegiri press to float a narrative that frightens the whole country. It's is always the Lagos - Ibadam expressway section of Nigerias mercenary press..

IPOB : The Tactics of a dying group.

Is Nnamdi Kanu/IPOB Worth more than the Entire South east Population?
Or the entire Igbo population?

Has IPOB desired to make Igbos in the SE Poor? Telling those at home not to work(sit at home) and those abroad to donate all they have?

With each passing day IPOB keeps proving they lack the wisdom, humility, ability to lead people in the 21st century.

When we ask IPOB members the reason for the sit at home they claim?

It's a form of protest for

1) Referendum and Actualization of Biafra
2) Unconditional Release of Nnamdi Kanu
3) To remember their comrades killed by law enforcement agents.

But The truth still remains sitting at home won't change any of this..

We all know the first sit at home was held in place of Biafra Remembrance day to reminisce the losses of Un-Civil War...
That sit at home was held by all because it was for a good cause, yes it was declared by IPOB but people didn't sit at home for IPOB.

Sit at home, won't make FG release Kanu from detention. Even kudos should be given to Ohaneze for getting FG to produce kanu in court...
Biafra can't be achieved by sitting at home, you have to slug it out on the field ( and we all know IPOB isn't prepared for any of that).
Sit at home won't bring anyone back from the dead!,
So AGAIN what exactly will the sit at home change?

A show of solidarity? IPOB can't prove the entire southeast population are with them neither can they prove the entire Igbo population are with them.
IF everyone wanted to sit at home, IPOB won't need enforcers(ESN/UGM)...

You say someone Needs Freedom, yet you want to Enslave them first before you set them free? Who does that?
I can honestly say for the past 2 months no one has been a greater threat and harm to The Southeast Like IPOB,

Talk about the endless killings in the North

[s]

DOTian:
Notice that it's the Yoruba press and their online hoodlums that are parroting this narrative that the South East is a killing field? You think it's a coincidence? Obviously some people whose existence depends on Aso Rock are desperately trying to demarket the South East politically by flooding the whole place with unknown gunmen, then use their gbegiri press to float a narrative that frightens the whole country. It's is always the Lagos - Ibadam expressway section of Nigerias mercenary press..

[/s]

The federal government is playing a script While ipob is ignorantly playing along. My thoughts, ipob will frustrate the coming election , that is when the federal government will have no choice than to come and take over the state through emergency rule

The state of emergency by the minster of justice was leaked prematurely but that is the plan . It will be so glaring, since there will be no election the governor will step down and must have to hand over. This time constitution can not be followed in a crisis situation.

If ipob decide to engage the security forces on ground needless to say IDP camps will be inevitable.

Let's fold our hands and watch how it unfolds in the coming election.

What this useless porn star knows is to have his slut standby, that is why his trouser always send signal whenever he nears ladies

Nawa o, the way news dey take report killing is now becoming normal!

Make a glass slide video effect

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02Up4NJP_3c

22o62021:
Talk about the endless killings in the North

Don’t mind them. They should face what face them. We real Igbos are not complaining. Biafra is the goal regardless of how many souls lost or how dire the security situations is.
An independent Biafra must come.
No Biafra, No elections in Igbo land.

Yoruba Muslim terrorists are causing all the evil burning and killing in the South

Killings in the South East are done perpetually by the terrorist organization called IPOB

The funniest part of all this bullshit is that the Southeast think they'd be missed. Lol. The SE brings NOTHING to the table, absolutely Nothing.

We know SS is the lifewire, the north is the food basket, SW is the VAT/economic hotbed. What exactly does the SE contribute to Nigeria?

If you want Biaflar, shutdown the east with protests until your representatives move for referendum. Until then, you can start by moving en masse back to the east.

It's the Nigerian State playing out a script.

Ok

Serious wahala

RichDad1:

Don’t mind them. They should face what face them. We real Igbos are not complaining. Biafra is the goal regardless of how many souls lots.

The next casualties will be from your household. After all, Biaflar is the goal.

The storm that hit the SE will surely die down. After the rain comes the shine though it breaks the hearts of the sons of the soil observing it's present condition.

Leave them make dem kill themselves Finnish na, non of my business

DOTian:
[s]Notice that it's the Yoruba press and their online hoodlums that are parroting this narrative that the South East is a killing field? You think it's a coincidence? Obviously some people whose existence depends on Aso Rock are desperately trying to demarket the South East politically by flooding the whole place with unknown gunmen, then use their gbegiri press to float a narrative that frightens the whole country. It's is always the Lagos - Ibadam expressway section of Nigerias mercenary press..[/s]

Stop talking nonsense.

It's too early in the week, biko.

Nonsense.

Jibsy203:
Yoruba Muslim terrorists are causing all the evil burning and killing in the South

Yes o. With DSS and their Fulani supporter of APC masters.

DOTian:
Notice that it's the Yoruba press and their online hoodlums that are parroting this narrative that the South East is a killing field? You think it's a coincidence? Obviously some people whose existence depends on Aso Rock are desperately trying to demarket the South East politically by flooding the whole place with unknown gunmen, then use their gbegiri press to float a narrative that frightens the whole country. It's is always the Lagos - Ibadam expressway section of Nigerias mercenary press..

But the writer is a fully blooded Igbo CHIDIEBUBE OKEOMA.

SE issues are always magnified to ensure quick resolution because if the Igbos leave Nigeria, Nigeria as we know it will be no more!

Nnamdi KANU has brought out phantom hiding under the mask of an average flat head. unfortunately this is just a tip of the iceberg. Evil lives in their hearts and mind

TimeTraveller:



The next casualties will be from your household. After all, Biaflar is the goal.

Amen and Amen

My biggest concern is that many hoodlums have hijacked the IPOB struggle and the consequences can be catastrophic.

Nigeria government are the one doing all this killing East.



We heard one of them boosting yesterday that they are doing everything possible to make other countries to proscribe Ipob as terrorist.

TimeTraveller:



The next casualties will be from your household. After all, Biaflar is the goal.

Buhari and Tinubu must feel the pains. Biafra or no peace in the SE.

DMerciful:
SE issues are always magnified to ensure quick resolution because if the Igbos leave Nigeria, Nigeria as we know it will be no more!

Dem don start.

EasternAFGANISTANS .Thank Y IPOB, ESN TERRORISTS.Buhari go quench .They should burn down everything