IPOB Renews Call for International Inquiry into South-East Insecurity, Accuses Nigerian Government of Orchestrating Cover-Up

IPOB Renews Call for International Inquiry into South-East Insecurity, Accuses Nigerian Government of Orchestrating Cover-Up The Indigenous ...

IPOB Renews Call for International Inquiry into South-East Insecurity, Accuses Nigerian Government of Orchestrating Cover-Up

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a self-determination movement advocating for the independence of Biafra, has intensified its demand for an internationally supervised inquiry into the persistent insecurity plaguing the South-East. In a strongly worded statement released on Friday, the group accused the Nigerian government and military of perpetuating a "cover-up" by falsely attributing violence to IPOB while ignoring alleged state-sponsored abuses and collusion with criminal elements. This call comes amid claims from military officials that security has improved following the imprisonment of key figures associated with the movement.

The statement, issued by IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful, dismissed recent remarks by Major General Michael Onoja as "recycled propaganda." Onoja had asserted that the incarceration of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu in Nigeria and self-proclaimed agitator Simon Ekpa in Finland has significantly weakened the group's operational capacity, leading to a reduction in crimes across the region. He credited sustained military operations and court rulings against IPOB leadership for the purported improvements.

However, IPOB countered these claims, arguing that the government is evading accountability. "For years, IPOB has publicly and repeatedly demanded a full, open, internationally supervised inquiry into the insecurity in the South-East, headed by an impartial judge, preferably from South Africa, beyond the reach of Nigerian political manipulation," the statement read. The group questioned the military's confidence in its narrative, challenging authorities to present evidence "under oath, in the open, with witnesses protected and cross-examined."

IPOB further accused politicians and security actors of "cultivating militias and criminal gangs" only to scapegoat the movement when violence escalates. They cited a litany of historical incidents as evidence of state violence against civilians, including the 2016 Nkpor killings on May 30, the Aba National High School incident, the invasion of Kanu's home, the Zaria Shiite clashes, the Odi and Zaki-Biam military operations, and the 2020 Lekki Toll Gate shootings. "These were not ‘security operations.’ They were state violence against unarmed civilians," Powerful stated.

The group invoked past warnings from retired General Theophilus Danjuma, who alleged collusion between security forces and armed groups, questioning why current leaders appear to ignore such concerns. IPOB also lambasted Nigeria's major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for overseeing a "nationwide collapse of security."

In their demands, IPOB urged international bodies such as the United States, United Nations, African Union, and European Union to back an independent commission. They proposed a judge-led public inquiry chaired by a foreign jurist, with full access to security records, international oversight, and protections for whistleblowers. Additionally, they called for the "immediate and unconditional release" of Kanu, insisting that the government's refusal to allow scrutiny only fuels suspicions. "If Nigeria has nothing to hide, it should welcome scrutiny," the statement concluded, adding that the regime is "not afraid of IPOB" but "afraid of being exposed."

The Nigerian government has long designated IPOB as a terrorist organization, banning it in 2017 amid accusations of inciting violence to achieve Biafra. Officials maintain that IPOB's activities have contributed to unrest, including attacks on security personnel and infrastructure. However, IPOB has consistently denied involvement in violent acts, attributing them to criminal elements or state-sponsored infiltrators.

IPOB's Non-Violent Approach: History, Strategies, and Criticisms

Amid these escalating tensions, IPOB has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to non-violence as a core principle of its struggle for Biafran independence. Founded in 2012 by Nnamdi Kanu, the movement emerged as a revival of self determination sentiments rooted in the 1967-1970 Nigerian Civil War, which claimed millions of lives in the Igbo-dominated South-East. IPOB positions itself as a "non-violent advocacy group" focused on self-determination through peaceful means, such as protests, civil disobedience, and international diplomacy.

Historically, IPOB began as a peaceful entity, organizing sit-at-home protests and rallies to highlight perceived marginalization of the Igbo people, including economic disparities and political exclusion. These "sit-at-home" actions, where residents are encouraged to stay indoors as a form of nonviolent resistance, have been a hallmark tactic, drawing comparisons to global movements like those led by Mahatma Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jr. Supporters argue that this approach represents a "revolution against persistent negligence" and structural violence without resorting to arms.

IPOB's non-violent stance has garnered international attention and sympathy. For instance, the group maintains offices in over 90 countries and has been recognized in some quarters as a legitimate voice for self-determination. Kanu himself has advocated for dialogue, as evidenced by past interactions where journalists questioned the government's reluctance to engage IPOB in talks. In a 2023 statement, IPOB refuted terrorism allegations, insisting it remains "one united family with no faction and a proven non-violent freedom movement." Recent social media posts from IPOB affiliates reinforce this, distancing the group from violence and attributing attacks to "unaffiliated criminal groups" or government-sponsored provocateurs.

Despite these claims, IPOB's approach has faced significant criticisms and challenges. Analysts note that while the group started non-violently, it has "evolved from a non-violent advocacy group to a militant ethno-nationalist movement" in response to government crackdowns. The Nigerian government's heavy-handed tactics, including arrests, extrajudicial killings, and military operations, have been accused of provoking escalation. Reports from organizations like Amnesty International and the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada highlight that IPOB was "non-violent at the beginning" but shifted tactics amid repression, with some factions allegedly turning to violence.

Media portrayals have also been contentious. Studies suggest that newspaper headlines often delegitimize IPOB's nonviolent protests, framing sit-at-homes as disruptive or coercive rather than peaceful resistance. Critics, including government officials, point to incidents like attacks on police stations as evidence of IPOB's involvement in terrorism, though the group denies these, claiming infiltration by state agents. A 2023 DW analysis questioned whether dialogue could resolve the "IPOB problem," noting the government's terrorist label while acknowledging IPOB's non-violent aspirations.

Proponents of IPOB argue that non-violence has earned the movement global respect, contrasting it with more militant groups. Research from sources like the Social Science Research Council suggests nonviolent options, such as political reforms addressing Igbo marginalization, could de-escalate tensions rather than military force. Despite criticisms, IPOB's persistence underscores the need for a "non-violent approach" from all sides, as highlighted in academic preprints.

As insecurity continues in the South-East, with reports of kidnappings, clashes, and economic disruptions, IPOB's call for an inquiry could test international willingness to intervene. 

Family Writers Press International.