If Jesus came to Nigeria, one of the places He wouldn’t go is Igboland. This is because a band of thugs, going by the name "unknown gunmen," has turned life in the region into an unbearable ordeal for both its residents and any visitors.
"Igboland" is the term used to describe the region of Eastern Nigeria predominantly inhabited by the Igbo tribe. This region encompasses five states: Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia, and Ebonyi States. Historically, Igboland was renowned for its tranquility and thriving communities. The Igbo people, known for their rich cultural heritage marked by numerous celebrations like the Igba Nkwu ceremony (traditional weddings), New Yam festivals, Mmanwu (masquerade) festivals, birthdays, new house opening parties, Ozo title celebrations, and more, have always had a deep appreciation for life's joys. It is no surprise that many Igbo individuals living abroad, spanning the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia, annually make the pilgrimage back to their ancestral villages in Nigeria to partake in Christmas and other festivities with their kin. The Igbo community is celebrated nationwide for their egalitarian spirit, tireless work ethic, and entrepreneurial zeal. Their remarkable ability to rebuild their communities and business ventures with astonishing speed after the devastation of the civil war, during which the Nigerian government razed numerous Igbo communities and seized their properties, continues to astound many. In fact, it is rare to find a country where you won't encounter an Igbo man or woman, as their enterprising spirit knows no bounds. If you happen not to see an Igbo person in a particular country, it is often because they have already ventured there in the past but departed due to a perceived lack of economic opportunities.
However, the serene and prosperous picture of
Igboland drastically shifted just two years ago, starting in 2021. The region
has been grappling with severe security challenges, and, to our dismay, these
challenges are largely of our own making. As an Igbo man, I don't hesitate to
admit this uncomfortable truth: Igboland is currently embroiled in an internal
struggle that can only be described as a state of war. But it is not a war
against a tyrant or foreign power; instead, it is a battle against a group of thugs
known as the "Unknown Gunmen." Shockingly, these "Unknown
Gunmen" are fellow Igbo brethren who have plunged our villages and cities
into chaos, rendering them unsafe and uninhabitable for decent Igbo citizens.
Through fear, intimidation, kidnapping, and extortion, these criminals,
operating under the guise of the "Unknown Gunmen," have become a
menace to their own people, indiscriminately victimizing Igbo men, women, and
children. They target law enforcement officers and anyone who dares to obstruct
their criminal activities, thereby perpetuating a reign of terror within our
communities.
Without putting it in so many words, across
the heartland of Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu States, a distressing
reality has thus firmly taken hold. It is a somber panorama where violence and
turmoil have become daily occurrences, orchestrated by these "Unknown
Gunmen," who are determined to assert complete control over the towns and
cities within Igboland.
It is essential to recognize that these
"Unknown Gunmen" trace their origins to the Indigenous People of
Biafra (IPOB), a Nigerian Igbo nationalist group. IPOB's primary aspiration is
to see the reestablishment of the Republic of Biafra, a nation that declared
independence from Nigeria before the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970) and
ultimately rejoined Nigeria following its defeat by the Nigerian military. The
individuals who initiated the "Unknown Gunmen" faction were once part
of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the paramilitary arm of IPOB. In as much
as the IPOB's leader, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu (who is currently imprisoned in Nigeria),
and other members are trying to distance themselves from the "Unknown
Gunmen," they bear some responsibility because the entity they initially
created has spiraled out of control. Additionally, they have yet to take
significant actions to rein in the "Unknown Gunmen" and their
oppressive activities against fellow Igbo men, women, and children.
As an Igbo man myself, it is vital to express
that my perspective on IPOB varies considerably. This divergence arises from my
firsthand experiences witnessing the widespread corruption and misappropriation
of public funds by Igbo state governors, politicians, and government officials
within Igboland. Over the years, these unscrupulous individuals have consistently
diverted public funds, originally intended for the advancement of Igboland,
into their private accounts with impunity. This pattern of behavior has
persisted for decades, resulting in woeful infrastructure, an absence of public
water supply, and unreliable electricity (with the fortunate few having access
to electricity for just a few hours each day). The road network has
deteriorated into treacherous paths, while public schools and healthcare
facilities languish in a state of disrepair. After witnessing these systemic
issues endure unabated, I've arrived at the conclusion that the pursuit of
Biafra does not offer a comprehensive solution to the challenges afflicting
Igboland, as fervently advocated by IPOB supporters. In my assessment, the crux
of our issues lies within our own community, with the Igbo state governors,
politicians, and government officials playing a pivotal role. In plain terms,
obtaining Biafra will not miraculously transform these individuals into
virtuous leaders, nor will it promptly remedy the deep-rooted problems
perpetuated by our own Igbo leadership.
Furthermore, my argument gains further
support when we examine the alarming activities of these "Unknown
Gunmen" in Igboland. They have resorted to assassinating police officers,
both men and women, who dutifully serve in the region. This reign of terror
extends to imposing a mandatory weekly curfew, coercing people into staying
indoors every Monday, rather than pursuing their daily work or business
activities. Even schoolchildren are not spared, as these assailants forbid them
from attending school on Mondays, effectively compelling every school in
Igboland to remain closed. On occasions, they even target foreigners,
exemplified by the assault on a convoy from the United States mission in
Nigeria as it traversed a rural area in Anambra state, resulting in the tragic
loss of four lives (including two Nigerians employed by the mission and two
members of their Nigerian police escort) and the abduction of three others.
Private enterprises, including banks, grocery stores, markets, commercial
buses, and taxis, are coerced into shuttering their operations every Monday. In
essence, Igboland transforms into a desolate, ghostly landscape on Mondays,
with instances where these "Unknown Gunmen" extend the curfew for an
entire week. The consequences are dire, as they ruthlessly target, assault,
maim, kidnap, and, at times, even kill anyone, including innocent
schoolchildren, who dares to defy their imposed curfew. Countless police stations,
private properties, businesses, vehicles, and more have fallen victim to the
destructive rampage of these "Unknown Gunmen" whenever curfew
violations occur. Regrettably, they are inadvertently dismantling the economic
fabric of Igboland. As a teacher, what deeply grieves me is the fact that these
"Unknown Gunmen" have effectively compelled schoolchildren to stay at
home every Monday, denying them access to education. In doing so, they are
irreparably jeopardizing the future prospects of our children. It begs the
question: Is this how IBOB and these individuals plan to lead and govern if
they were to achieve their vision of Biafra? These troubling times indeed put
the resilience and determination of the Igbo people to the test.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
The actions of the "Unknown Gunmen"
have escalated in brutality and severity with each passing day. In villages and
towns within Igboland, particularly in my own village of Azia and its
neighboring village, Orsumohu, both situated in the Ihiala Local Government
Area of Anambra State, life has taken on a somber tone. Everyday gatherings and
cherished festivities, such as traditional wedding ceremonies, housewarming
parties, New Yam festivals, and even funeral rites, now require individuals to
negotiate and secure a form of security assurance from these "Unknown
Gunmen." Without such arrangements, they risk facing disruptions, as these
armed groups and their intimidating enforcers may descend upon the event,
scattering guests or mourners. What is even more distressing is that settling
one faction of the "Unknown Gunmen" doesn't bring an end to the
ordeal; another group might appear the very next day, demanding their share of
the settlement. For instance, traditional burial ceremonies in Igboland
typically extend for at least two weeks, with the first two days being the most
critical, as they involve the actual interment. However, condolences from
sympathizers and relatives continue throughout the remaining weeks. It is not
hard to imagine the anguish these "Unknown Gunmen" inflict on their
fellow Igbo villagers in Azia and Orsumohu, who are not only grieving but also
seeking to pay their last respects to their departed loved ones. To avoid
confrontation with these "Unknown Gunmen," many bereaved families in
these villages now opt to bury their deceased relatives immediately upon death,
foregoing the customary burial ceremonies and last rites that are deeply rooted
in Igbo culture and tradition. This is a distressing development, as it
signifies the erosion of the rich cultural heritage of Igboland.
In my view, the continued existence and
unchecked activities of the "Unknown Gunmen" in Igboland can be
attributed to the lack of priority placed on their defeat and neutralization by
the Igbo state governors (Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia, and Ebonyi States) and
Igbo politicians. It is worth remembering that the Nigerian federal government
allocates a substantial sum known as the "Security Vote" to each of
the 36 states within the Federal Republic of Nigeria on a monthly basis. This
allocation is intended exclusively for the funding of security services within
the respective states to address their security challenges. The value of these
security votes often runs into billions of naira (the Nigerian currency), with
states experiencing more significant security issues, such as those in Igboland
and the North East of Nigeria, receiving larger portions. Conversely, states
with fewer security challenges receive smaller allocations. It appears that the
primary interest of Igbo state governors and politicians lies in these security
vote funds, which they are allegedly diverting and sharing among themselves
rather than earnestly tackling the security issues within their states,
including those stemming from the activities of the "Unknown Gunmen."
Their focus seems to revolve around siphoning and misappropriating the
substantial security vote allocations provided by the federal government.
Consequently, they may lack the genuine motivation to address the security
problems in their states comprehensively because doing so would mean forfeiting
the security vote funds they are currently receiving. Essentially, removing the
"Unknown Gunmen" would entail relinquishing the opportunity to
embezzle the security vote money.
It is also worth acknowledging that the Igbo
state governors and politicians did establish "Ebube Agu," a regional
security outfit, as a collaborative effort to confront security challenges in
the region. However, "Ebube Agu" appears to be more of a façade than
an effective solution. In practice, it has become an avenue for these officials
to divert and misappropriate security vote funds. In essence, "Ebube
Agu" represents a paper tiger that cannot adequately address security
concerns in Igboland for the same reason – the diversion of security vote
allocations. Meanwhile, these Igbo governors and politicians continue to travel
in bulletproof vehicles and enjoy the protection of well-equipped security
personnel. This has contributed to Nigeria surpassing countries like Iraq,
Afghanistan, and various Latin American nations to become the world's largest
importer of armored vehicles. Roughly 30 percent of global customers for
armored vehicles hail from Nigeria. Meanwhile, the children of these Igbo
governors and politicians receive private tutoring and attend universities
abroad, primarily in Europe and the United States, thus remaining unaffected by
the curfew enforced by the "Unknown Gunmen."
At What Cost?
My fellow Nigerians in the diaspora, many of
you who have generously contributed funds to support IPOB's activities may not
have realized that, inadvertently, you have played a role in creating a
formidable and challenging entity – a kind of modern-day Frankenstein called
the “Unknown Gunmen” – that will require extensive efforts to tame or
neutralize. It is time to engage in introspection and face the truth. Some of
you can no longer visit your ancestral villages in Igboland openly, without
seeking refuge in hotels in neighboring cities where your identity remains
concealed, or resorting to disguises as ordinary individuals. The wealth you
have diligently toiled for abroad becomes elusive when you return to your
villages in Igboland. It is a lamentable situation. I pose a straightforward
question: Must you continue to deceive yourselves? Isn't it high time you
recognized that financing IPOB for the cause of Biafra is no longer a
fashionable endeavor and does not offer a viable solution to the challenges
faced by the Igbo people? I will reiterate my stance: The predicament we are
encountering in Igboland – the issues that have persisted since the conclusion
of the civil war in 1970 – can be attributed to Igbo governors and politicians,
not to the Hausa tribe, Fulani tribe, or other Nigerian ethnic groups. While it
is true that some villages in Igboland have suffered attacks from Fulani cattle
herders, leading to loss of lives, it is essential to remember that state
governors hold the position of chief security officers in their respective states.
They are entrusted with the responsibility of utilizing the substantial
security vote allocations they receive to provide robust security and protect
every village in Igboland from such attacks by Fulani cattle herders.
Furthermore, upon closer examination of some of these attacks, one can uncover
the unsettling truth that, in the realm of local politics, some traditional
rulers from these villages accepted bribes from the Fulani cattle herders. They
made promises to allow the herders to graze their livestock on the land
belonging to the affected villages. Unbeknownst to the villagers, most of whom
were farmers, it was their traditional rulers who betrayed them to the Fulani
herders. The bribes provided to these traditional rulers emboldened the herders,
who then used the land for grazing. Consequently, the cattle damaged the crops
cultivated by the villagers, sparking conflict and animosity between the
villagers and the herders. Otherwise, what could have emboldened Fulani cattle
herders to act so brazenly in a foreign territory?
The ultimate imperative lies in halting and
neutralizing the activities of the "Unknown Gunmen" to restore the
dignity of our beloved Igboland. To those behind the actions of the
"Unknown Gunmen," I implore you to grasp a fundamental truth: no one
appointed you as the custodians of Igboland. Instead, you've been traversing
our land, siphoning prosperity and joy from others, while returning nothing but
misery and suffering. It is crucial to recognize that all things have an end,
and you will inevitably be held accountable for the atrocities you have already
committed. You may not perceive it now, but by persistently victimizing,
extorting, and causing harm to your fellow Igbo brothers and sisters, you are
defying the natural order – the laws of God. Your actions run contrary to the
very essence of the universe. If our government fails to protect us, Providence
(God) will intervene because that is His divine nature. Your malevolent
activities, in opposition to the laws of nature, are destined for failure and
collapse. Anything that deviates from the natural order not only loses its
support but also generates opposing forces that are mightier than any human
spirit, eventually overpowering it and its endeavors. This is why I extend this
counsel to you now: consider altering your course so that you may not perish
but instead find peace and success.
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