Reversing the Growing Tensions and Instability in South Eastern Nigeria

It is around two years since the South East of Nigeria became a boiling cauldron of separatist violence with largely state-driven kinetic responses. The separatist agitation resumed in 1999, beginning with the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) but gained unusual tempo in 2015 when another group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu became the leading organisation agitating for the state of Biafra. The arrest of Mr Kanu, his trial, escape to exile and capture became a defining moment for South Eastern Nigeria. It marked the rise of unusual violence, the high point of which was coordinated armed attacks on security agencies, including the army, police, Immigration service, prisons and every institution representing the state. The attacks were carried out by ‘unknown gunmen’ who demonstrated evident expertise in weapon handling. Also, kidnapping for ransom, which initially targeted high-profile individuals, became common. The main players in the kidnapping were Fulani herdsmen and criminal gangs claiming Biafran secessionism as camouflage. These developments disrupted the peace in the South East.

This edition of Nextier SPD Policy Weekly reflects on the failed approaches and explore approaches that could support more sustainable peace and stability in the region.

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