Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Former National Chairman of Nigeria Human Rights Commission, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, has accused some individuals of feeding fat from the worrisome insecurity that has enveloped the South-East geopolitical zone.
Professor Odinkalu who stated this while featuring on Ikengaonline town-hall meeting held Thursday, regretted that some unpatriotic elements had converted the security challenges in the zone into a cottage industry.
The Rights activist and lawyer, who spoke on: “The South-East Insecurity Nexus: A Holistic View,” noted that the raging insecurity in the zone could only abate when all those benefiting directly or indirectly from it were stopped.
He recalled that a Governor in one of the states in the zone, sometime ago, secured approval for N150 billion supplementary budget in his state in the name of fighting insecurity.
Professor Odinkalu further noted that contrary to the general perception, every security challenge in the South-East was not directly related to the agitation for self determination as championed by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB; and its security wing, the Eastern Security Network, ESN.
Professor Odinkalu who currently teaches law at the Fletcher School, Tufts University USA, in fact, submitted that cult-related killings, drug trafficking, and gun running currently pose more threat than IPOB/ESN .
“Some of the killings in Anambra and Imo are as a result of inter-cult crisis. These cultists are murderous. In Idemili, some youths want to use force to collect ‘ego ala.’ Agureli and Umureli crisis has been there and not IPOB-related.”
Odinkalu regretted that all manner of criminals had hidden under IPOB/ESN agitation to unleash mayhem and commit all manner of atrocities in the zone.
He said that even if the security challenges necessitated by the agitation by IPOB/ESN were taken out of the way, total peace might not return to the zone until the other causative factors such as cultism, arms running and drug cartels were holistically dealt with.
According to Odinkalu, drug marketers with their external collaborators use guns, just like cultists who are now on killing spree in the zone particularly Imo and Anambra states.
Odinkalu further regretted that all deadly and sophisticated cult groups in Nigeria now operate in South-East.
He said that some of the killings in Anambra and Imo were cult-related killings and rivalry between criminal gangs and drug Lords who had nothing to do with IPOB.
Odinkalu said that organised crime which is more sophisticated, now poses existential threat to South-East than anything else.
According to him, it would be difficult to control the perpetrators as they are not loyal to the command structure of IPOB/ESN.
He said that the killings in Anambra North had more to do with the struggle for the control of natural resources; while the insecurity in Awka area more or less had the signature tune of struggle over land levies and royalties (ego ala) between traditional rulers, President Generals and Youth Leaders.
Odinkalu further pointed accusing fingers at greedy politicians who arm thugs during elections for selfish interests but fail to disarm them afterwards.
He, therefore, called on all stakeholders including youths to rise in unison, and stoutly resist the perpetrators of insecurity in South-East.
The virtual town-hall meeting which drew participants from across the world was co-hosted by Dr Osmund Agbo; and Dr Chido Onumah.
Ikengaonline monthly town-hall meetings are meant to discuss topical issues affecting the South-East zone of Nigeria in particular, and the Nigeria state in general.
Professor of Entrepreneural Studies and Founder of Gregory University Uturu, GUU, Professor Greg Ibe, featured in the June edition where he handled entrepreneurship challenges in the South-East.
Former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, was the guest on the April edition where he handled: “Improving Regional Economy in the Homeland.”
World famous Economist and Nigeria’s two-time Minister for Finance, Kalu Idika Kalu, featured in the March edition wherein he did justice to the topic: “Nigeria’s incoming Government: Prospects & Challenges.”
Former Education Minister, and the current Chairman, Board of Women Political Leaders (WPL), Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, was the guest speaker of the February edition. She spoke on “Women in Politics, East of the Niger.”
Other eminent Igbo personalities have featured on the monthly event since its debut in 2022.
The maiden edition of Ikengaonline town-hall featured the immediate-past Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, in July 2022; while the second edition featured a renowned Political Economist, Professor Pat Okedinachi Utomi, in August.
Former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo; US-based academic, Professor Okey Ndibe; West African Regional Director, Ford Foundation, Dr Chichi Aniagolu-Okoye; as well as multi-award-winning actress and Director of Communications, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Monalisa Chinda Coker, had all featured at different editions of the explosive 90 minutes show.
Ikengaonline is a South-East-focused online media outfit which aims at giving voice to citizens of the South-East, parts of Rivers and Delta states, and highlights the challenges facing the region.
Ikengaonline is a publication of Ikenga Media and Cultural Awareness Initiative (IMCAI), a non-profit entity that seeks to promote positive socio-cultural values, accountability and good governance through media and public education.
It is part of the Collaborative Media Engagement for Development Inclusivity and Accountability Project, a multi-level intervention for media independence and government accountability, managed by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) and supported by MacArthur Foundation.
