Insecurity In Southeast: A Politically Premeditated Subterfuge To Undermine IPOB's Call For Economic Development Of Biafraland

 Insecurity In Southeast: A Politically Premeditated Subterfuge To Undermine IPOB's Call For Economic Development Of Biafraland Over a d...

 Insecurity In Southeast: A Politically Premeditated Subterfuge To Undermine IPOB's Call For Economic Development Of Biafraland

Over a decade, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has long been advocating for self-determination of the people in the Eastern region, primarily driven by the belief that the people of the Southeast (by extension the Old Eastern region) possess the capacity and resources to govern themselves, leading to the group's greater quest for socio-economic development in the region. IPOB's push for economic autonomy is not just about political independence; it encompasses the desire for improved infrastructure, education, healthcare, and overall quality of life for the people in the region.

However, the last four (4) years have witnessed a burgeoning wave of insecurity in Southeast, a region once noted for its peaceful environment in Nigeria. This unsettling trend raises questions not only about the immediate implications for safety and economic stability but also about the underlying motivations driving these now prevalent destabilizing events across the states in Southeast. 

Many observers argue that the persistent violence and chaos are more than spontaneous occurrences; they are politically motivated acts designed to undermine the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and their calls for economic development in Biafraland.

This call for development of the region resonates deeply among the youth, who are increasingly frustrated with unemployment rates and the lack of basic amenities. For them, IPOB represents not just a political statement but a beacon of hope for a future where they can thrive. 

However, the IPOB's dream of economic progress in Biafraland, especially their campaign for Igbos to return their investment to Biafraland are being met with a rising tide of premeditated insecurity. 

Reports of various criminal groups operating in the region perpetuating activities such as: kidnappings, killings, destruction of properties, political assassinations, arm robberies, confrontations between cult groups are becoming too common. These violent incidents create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, hampering investment opportunities, disrupting local markets, and diminishing the potential for economic growth in the region.

The question arises:

Who benefits from these instabilities?

Many analysts have strongly pointed to the political establishment that may feel threatened by the economic autonomy sought by IPOB. By fostering an environment of fear and insecurity, these actors actively undermine IPOB's message of Invest In Igboland and discredit its call for development of the region. 

Therefore, the insecurity in the Southeast can obviously be seen through the lens of a politically premeditated subterfuge. Some government officials and other vested interests fear that IPOB's demands for self-determination could mobilize large swathes of the population against the current political order. By positioning IPOB as a disruptive force responsible for the destabilization of the region, these interests aim to dilute support for IPOB and de-legitimize its economic development agenda.

Furthermore, the portrayal of IPOB/ESN and its members as violent group, terrorists or criminals by the Nigerian government security forces serves to justify the heavy-handed military presence in the region. While state sponsored provocateur groups are created to perpetuate violent activities and freely impersonate IPOB/ESN in the region.

The false narrative peddled that IPOB's agitation and establishment of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) gave birth to insecurity and criminality in the Southeast is not only a devil's card to blame IPOB for the insecurity but also a premeditated ploy that allows the Nigerian government and Southeast politicians to justify the increasing militarization and criminalities by the criminal provocateur groups operating in the region under the guise of maintaining law and order in the region. This craftily diverts attention from the genuine grievances of the people such as the economic hardship ndị food insecurity due to activities of Fulani herdsmen terrorists, creating a cycle where demands for development are systematically suppressed.

Regrettably, the Southeast, known for its vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, is suffering from the loss of potential investments, as fears of violence deter both local and foreign investors. Small and medium-scale businesses, which are the backbone of the region's economy, are also feeling the brunt of the rising insecurity. Investors are wary of committing resources to a volatile environment, which only perpetuates the cycle of poverty and underdevelopment in the region. This is the plan of the adversaries of IPOB and the Southeast region. Bring the region to ruins and blame IPOB for it.

Moreover, the people of Biafraland are further marginalized as governmental resources and attention ebb away from them, directed instead towards militaristic approaches to governance. The emphasis on suppressing dissent over fostering development does little to improve the lives of ordinary citizens, who are the most affected by these violent outbreaks.

Addressing this politically motivated subterfuge require multi-faceted approaches that engage various stakeholders, including civil society, political leaders, and ordinary citizens. The narrative around IPOB as the cause of insecurity in Southeast must shift from one of fear to one of understanding; the genuine aspirations of the people that must be acknowledged and addressed which is what IPOB stands for.

This necessary if the Southeast is to see the economic development it desperately needs which IPOB is at the front championing. Southeast politicians must be held accountable for their criminal silent posturing towards the  festering insecurity in the Biafraland.

The insecurity plaguing the Southeast cannot be viewed in isolation; it is intrinsically linked to broader political maneuvers designed by politicians to maintain control over a region rich in potential but lack in infrastructures. 

As the Indigenous People of Biafra continue to call for economic,  infrastructural and self-determination of the region, it is essential to collectively confront the political subterfuge undermining these efforts. Only by addressing the root causes of these criminal groups carrying out the now rampant insecurity and fostering inclusive dialogue can the Southeast hope to transform its narrative, attract investors and secure a prosperous future for generations to come. Blaming innocent IPOB will only allow the insecurity to prevail rather than nipping it from the bud.

Family Writers Press International