IPOB and ESN: From Noble Intentions to a Crisis of Leadership and Mismanagement.

Retracing Our Steps: A Path to Lasting Peace and Security in the South-East

To chart a new course for peace and stability in the South-East, it is imperative to take a step back and reassess how we arrived at this critical juncture. Solving complex challenges requires retracing our steps, recalibrating strategies, and crafting a well-informed plan for the future. The security crisis in the South-East did not emerge overnight; it is the product of historical grievances, leadership failures, and a series of miscalculations by successive administrations.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu now has a historic opportunity to rewrite the narrative and steer the region away from its current trajectory of violence and despair. However, this can only be achieved by addressing the root causes that led to the formation of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN). Acknowledging the federal government’s missteps, particularly the hasty proscription of IPOB and the controversial military operations codenamed Python Dance, is crucial to achieving sustainable peace.

Understanding the Origins: IPOB and ESN’s Formation

The emergence of IPOB and ESN was a direct response to the deep-seated grievances of Ndi Igbo, ranging from economic neglect and political marginalization to the glaring failure of federal and regional leadership to address the post-civil war realities of the region. Despite decades of promises, the South-East continued to suffer from:

Inadequate infrastructure

Limited federal appointments

Lack of strategic economic investments

This perceived systemic discrimination led to a growing sense of frustration, particularly among the youth, who saw IPOB as a voice advocating for self-determination and justice.

IPOB’s Early Methods

IPOB’s early approach was nonviolent, relying on:

Mass mobilization

Peaceful protests

Media campaigns (especially radio broadcasts) to amplify their message

The launch of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in 2020 aimed to fill the security vacuum created by the menace of armed herdsmen, accused of rampant killings, kidnappings, and destruction of farmlands across the region.

The Turning Point: Python Dance and IPOB’s Proscription

The Nigerian government’s decision to deploy the military to the South-East under the Operation Python Dance initiative in 2016, 2017, and 2018 marked a significant turning point in the crisis. The operations, which purportedly aimed to curb IPOB activities and tackle rising insecurity, resulted in:

Mass arrests

Extrajudicial killings

Gross human rights violations

The invasion of Nnamdi Kanu’s home in 2017, which reportedly led to the deaths of several IPOB supporters, further inflamed tensions.

Proscription of IPOB: A Strategic Misstep

The federal government’s proscription of IPOB as a terrorist organization, despite the group’s nonviolent stance at the time, was a strategic blunder. This move alienated IPOB sympathizers and radicalized many who might have otherwise been open to negotiation.

Meanwhile, groups like Boko Haram and Fulani militia, responsible for widespread atrocities across Nigeria, continued to operate with far less punitive measures, leading to accusations of bias and double standards.

Consequences of the Government’s Actions

The crackdown on IPOB forced many members and sympathizers underground, leading to:

Increased militancy

A decentralized, leaderless resistance

Criminal elements infiltrating the movement under the guise of the Biafra struggle

The Role of Regional Leadership: Failures and Complicity

The governors of the South-East played a significant role in the deterioration of the situation. Rather than providing visionary leadership, they aligned with federal authorities to suppress IPOB, fearing that Nnamdi Kanu’s rising influence could erode their political control.

Instead of addressing the security concerns proactively by forming a coordinated regional security framework akin to the South-West’s Amotekun, they distanced themselves from IPOB and ESN, further deepening the disconnect between the people and their representatives.

Moving Forward: President Tinubu’s Historic Opportunity

President Tinubu has a unique chance to shift the trajectory of the South-East crisis by adopting a more inclusive, dialogue-driven approach. Instead of continuing with the failed military strategies of his predecessors, the following steps should be considered:

1. Initiate Genuine Dialogue

A return to the pre-Python Dance era should involve open dialogue with key stakeholders, including:

IPOB representatives

Traditional rulers

Youth groups

Civil society organizations

2. Lift IPOB’s Proscription

The arbitrary labeling of IPOB as a terrorist organization hampers constructive engagement. Removing this designation could pave the way for meaningful negotiations and foster trust.

3. Regional Security Reforms

The South-East must develop its own security architecture, staffed by locals who understand the terrain and can distinguish between genuine agitators and criminal elements.

4. Economic Empowerment

Addressing economic neglect through targeted investments, job creation, and infrastructural development will reduce socio-economic frustrations that fuel unrest.

5. Reintegration Programs

Radicalized youths who took up arms should be given an opportunity for rehabilitation and reintegration into society through vocational training and amnesty programs.

6. Political Inclusivity

The federal government should ensure fair representation of the South-East in:

National appointments

Political offices

Decision-making processes

Conclusion

It is said that those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Nigeria must retrace its steps and acknowledge the miscalculations that escalated the South-East security crisis to its current state. President Tinubu has an opportunity to correct these wrongs by embracing:

Dialogue over suppression

Empowerment over alienation

Inclusion over marginalization

The journey toward peace and security in the South-East lies not in further military action but in a sincere commitment to addressing the historical injustices that gave rise to IPOB and ESN in the first place. Only by recalibrating our approach can we achieve a South-East that is peaceful, secure, and prosperous for all.

By Hon. Chimazuru  Nnadi-Oforgu

“Duruebube Uzii na Abosi”
http://www.oblongmedia.net