Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has described the statement credited to the prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, suggesting that the government should arm Igbo youths to counter IPOB, as misguided, divisive, and inflammatory.
Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, a human rights lawyer, stated that Sheikh Gumi’s complicity in northern insecurity is well known, noting that his actions have contributed to the region’s dire state of insecurity.
The IPOB lawyer said that Sheikh Gumi’s failure to address the rampant terrorism and insecurity in his region makes his advice to arm youths in the South-East not only hypocritical but also dangerous.
According to him, it is a well-known fact that Sheikh Gumi, driven by a questionable obsession with monetary benefits, has played a significant role in exacerbating terrorism and banditry across northern Nigeria.
Ejiofor further stated that Gumi lacks the moral authority to advise the government on insecurity in the South-East, as one of his emissaries is currently in the custody of the State Security Service for his role in promoting banditry.
He said, “It is difficult to ignore the likelihood that Sheikh Gumi covertly enables such activities while acting as their chief negotiator.”
According to Ejiofor, the ultimate goal of Sheikh Gumi is to destabilise Igboland, thereby creating a scenario where brothers turn against brothers, resulting in needless bloodshed and destruction.
Sir Ejiofor also stated that it is clear that the criminal activities in the South-East are not the work of IPOB, but rather opportunistic criminals masquerading as freedom fighters. He emphasised that Sheikh Gumi’s suggestion would only serve to pit Igbo people against one another, plunging the region into chaos.
The human rights lawyer stated that IPOB has repeatedly distanced itself from these criminal elements and, in its recent press release, even offered to collaborate with local security outfits to eliminate such threats.
“Despite the political conspiracies against the Igbos, the most marginalised ethnic group in Nigeria, we have resolved to take our destiny into our own hands. Together, we will fight the real intruders who wreak havoc in our land.
“Let it be clear: Sheikh Gumi’s divisive mission is dead on arrival. The Igbo people have learned their lessons through hard and painful experiences and will not fall for such manipulative tactics,” he stated.
