Bloodied Uniforms and Crowns

In southeast Nigeria, state security actors and traditional rulers are favourite victims of unknown gunmen. Beyond the hustle and bustle of markets in the region, gunmen attacks have created an uncertain security atmosphere. Initially, gunmen attack targeted security formations and government buildings, killing scores of officers and torching infrastructure. But in recent months, attacks have moved from uniformed officers to traditional rulers in the southeast zone. On Sunday, 12th December 2021, two traditional rulers were killed, and several others sustained injuries when gunmen attacked a community in Imo state. Imo is one of the southeast states that have borne most of unknown gunmen violence.

A blame game trails unknown gunmen violence. Over the months, gunmen violence has increased in southeast Nigeria, and security agencies have blamed the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for the attacks. However, the separatist group has continually denied involvement and faulted government for failing to address the security threats instead is demonising IPOB. The continuous blame game cloaks efforts to understand the escalating insecurity in the region. Indeed, understanding the southeast\’s theatre of violence means looking beyond the blame game between security agencies and separatist groups.

The escalation of terror in the southeast coincided with the creation of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) by IPOB in December 2020. Eleven months to December 2021, about 253 have died in 138 incidents, according to the Nextier SPD Violent Conflict Database. Contrary to IPOB\’s insistence of its innocence, it had dished out orders and threats of violence for southeast residents to obey its designated sit-at-home commands. In recent months, IPOB decided to discontinue the stay-at-home commands after several cases of hoodlums\’ attacks of who were enforcing the orders. However, IPOB\’s termination of its Monday sit-at-home orders did not end violent assaults\’ southeast residents experience on Mondays. Indeed, it speculates that IPOB may not have as much control over its members and supporters alike in the southeast. The region may have become the theatre of multiple armed groups taking advantage of security agencies\’ accusation of IPOB as masterminding terror attacks in the zone.

If not IPOB, who else? Due to fear or support, IPOB stay-at-home orders receive widespread obedience. But there is limited understanding of why hoodlums attack defaulting residents, security formations, kidnapping and assassination of traditional rulers have continued despite IPOB\’s insistence of its innocence. Many reasons may account for this. First, security agencies may have been quick to indict IPOB for all the incidents in the region. Second, IPOB is responsible for the attacks but insists on its innocence to maintain its public outlook. Third, the indictment of IPOB and growing security tension have engendered the operation of other criminal networks in the region, which take advantage of the recurrent blame game to perpetrate violence. Regardless, terror in the southeast is a lingering crisis.

Use of data and intelligence. Nigeria\’s security operatives must rely on data and intelligence to save the southeast from continued horror. Indicting IPOB is not enough to salvage the zone. Proper investigation should be conducted to prevent attacks and apprehend the culprits behind the wanton terror in the region. With thorough investigations and efficient policing, Nigerian security agencies are bound to unmask the faces behind the unknown gunmen violence. Building on intelligence must also involve the people. There are already perceptions of government-sanctioned violence against the local populace. For instance, reports indicate unlawful arrests and detention of people in cities across the southeast as part of the current securitisation efforts of Nigeria security operatives.

To restore stability in the southeast, security agencies must create opportunities for collaboration and counteract the growing sentiments against them. In doing so, it must be objective and not appear like a government-authorised operation against the people. The ongoing insecurity in the region and echoes of self-determination presents a highly delicate environment for security agencies to securitise. However, with adequate professionalism and community engagement, sustainable peace may be realised in the region.