Theatre of Hoodlums?

Southeast Nigeria has become a theatre of hoodlums. Since 2021, the relatively calm region has taken a violent twist with clashes between government forces and pro-Biafra supporters. The establishment of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has heightened tensions in the region. Beyond this, series of attacks have been recorded at police formations and other government structures. While the Nigerian Police Force has accused IPOB of the attacks, the group has continually absolved itself of any blame. Between January and August 2021, about 181 casualties have been recorded in 74 incidents in the Southeast, according to the Nextier SPD Violent Conflict Database. News sources claim the attacks were carried out by unknown gunmen, hoodlums, and suspected IPOB members.

New concerns from the Southeast have now shifted to IPOB’s enforcement of a sit-at-home order to protest the incarceration of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu. On the days of IPOB-imposed sit-at-home, reports of attacks on defaulters have been recorded. In some instances, school students have been chased out of schools and road users harassed, with their vehicles burnt down. These events have triggered outrage on the enforcement of the sit-at-home order. On Tuesday, 14th September, the group rescinded the Monday sit-at-home and restricted it to the days Nnamdi Kanu would appear in court. Also, the pro-secession group has threatened to deal with hoodlums who use the IPOB’s sit-at-home order to cause havoc on residents. IPOB’s statement largely confirms the speculation that multiple non-state armed actors may have taken advantage of the unrest in the Southeast and the continuous tag of “unknown gunmen” to carry out criminal activities.

The fear of IPOB has become the waning of the government’s recognised authority. Despite the comments by state governments in the Southeast for residents to disregard the sit-at-home order, many areas were significantly empty. Hundreds of Southeast residents preferred to observe the forced holiday than become victims of hoodlums who paraded the streets to enforce the order. Worse off, security agencies could not effectively prevent physical assault meted out on residents who flouted the IPOB order. These areas have become playing fields for hoodlums, especially on IPOB’s \”designated sit-at-home days\”.

Restoring peace and stability in the Southeast means different things for government and the region’s residents. First, government’s stance is to maintain Nigeria’s unity despite echoes of secession. Hence, its tactics is focused on upholding the country’s fragile peace and unity. Second, peace and stability for many Southeast residents, especially pro-secessionists, mean a “Biafran state.” In this case, government and pro-secessionist groups are pursuing different ends, which may deepen the uncertain security atmosphere in the region. There is a need to pursue mutually beneficial outcomes to restore peace and tranquility in Nigeria’s Southeast.

Nigeria’s security agencies must secure lives and properties. It is a no-brainer that security reinforcements are needed in all security formations across the region. The Nigerian government must tighten its grip on the security situation. However, in doing so, it must be objective and not appear like a government-sanctioned operation against the people. For instance, there are reports of unlawful arrests and detention of people in cities across southeast Nigeria as part of the current securitisation efforts of security operatives. The ongoing insecurity in the region and echoes of self-determination presents a highly delicate environment for security agencies to securitise.

The Nigerian government should seek non-combative methods in engaging agitating groups as repressive operations have not restored durable peace. Nextier SPD’s article proposes deploying a conflict expert group to mediate communicative engagement as it would promote interfacing with government and the secessionist group. The government must step up to perform its role of protecting the public; otherwise, on-state groups will take advantage of presenting themselves as the messiah of the masses. Nigerian soldiers are already stretched thin in combating insurgents in the northeast and developing security crises in the northwest and northcentral zones. Therefore, non-kinetic measures appear to be the best alternative in nipping further clashes with IPOB in the bud.