Nigeria Police Revamp Strategies to Tackle IPOB in South EastIn response to the recent declaration by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for a two-week sit-at-home in the South East region, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced its renewed efforts to tackle the activities of the group. The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 9 Headquarters, Umuahia, Abia State capital, Echeng Eworo Echeng, made this announcement during his visit to the Imo State Command, Owerri, yesterday.
IPOB had called for the sit-at-home order, scheduled to commence from Monday, July 31, to August 14, with a demand for total compliance from the people. In light of this development, AIG Echeng urged residents of Imo, Abia, and Ebonyi states to carry on with their daily activities without fear, as security operatives are prepared to ensure peace and provide adequate security in the region.
Addressing the issue at hand, AIG Echeng emphasized the commitment of his men, alongside other security agencies, to thwart any attempt by individuals seeking to enforce the sit-at-home order forcefully. He reassured the public that the police are ready to confront those who threaten peace and collective well-being, asserting that the fight against such elements is both necessary and winnable.
Speaking earlier during the visit, the Imo State Police Commissioner, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, highlighted the effectiveness of the strategies adopted by the Command in curbing criminal activities in the state. He called for collaborative policing efforts and expressed appreciation to Governor Hope Uzodimma for his continued support in ensuring effective law enforcement in the state.
However, various stakeholders have expressed concerns over the escalating violence in the South East, attributing it to the mismanagement of the IPOB agitation by the Federal Government. The Executive Director of Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Ikechukwu Nwanguma, made these observations during a two-day ‘South East Peace Summit and Public Hearing on Insecurity, Crime, and Human Rights Violations’ held in Awka, Anambra State.
Nwanguma criticized the Federal Government’s approach to the IPOB agitation, stating that instead of engaging in dialogue to address the underlying factors, the government resorted to brutal repression. This approach, according to him, inadvertently radicalized the once unarmed group, prompting some members to resort to violence.
He further asserted that the lack of interest or commitment from the Federal Government regarding security in the South East has contributed to the rise of splinter groups and opportunistic criminal gangs, leading to devastating consequences on the socio-economic and political development of the region.
As the situation unfolds, the NPF’s renewed strategies and the calls for collaboration and dialogue from stakeholders underscore the importance of finding peaceful resolutions to the lingering issues in the South East. The authorities and concerned parties must work together to address the root causes of unrest and restore peace to the region.
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