• Arrest of Ekpa, Gentle Yahoo weakens terror groups 

• Respite in Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, residents demand improved security in Anambra, Imo

From Uchenna Inya (Abakaliki); Okey Sampson (Umuahia); George Onyejiuwa (Owerri); Obinna Odogwu (Awka); and Jude Chinedu (Enugu) 

Several months after Simon Ekpa was apprehended and later convicted in Finland; and weeks after Gentle Yahoo’s arrest in the Okigwe axis of Imo State, the security situation in the South East is gradually taking a turn for the better.

Across the states, there are reports that violent attacks by gunmen have considerably declined, even as police and military checkpoints have been dismantled in most of the locations where violent attacks were rampant in the past, creating a better sense of security for residents and visitors. In other parts of the zone, resident are demanding further security measures to ease movement of the people.

Abia

Abia State had a fair share of violent attacks by gunmen as they terrorised the South East to the point that within a period of six months, over 15 of such attacks were launched on government establishments, including security posts with the attendant loss of human lives.

While the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) were accused of carrying out the attacks, the group variously denied involvement, but Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based Biafran activist, who was believed to be equipping armed groups, often claimed responsibility.

Since Ekpa was arrested and sentenced to six years in prison in Finland in September, the activities of gunmen have declined in Abia State.

When the gunmen held sway in the state, they launched attacks at police stations and military checkpoints unchallenged and in most cases, in broad daylights, killing and maiming their targets. A segment of the gunmen also attacked individuals and business outlets they believed were not observing the Monday sit-at-home order imposed by the activists, even when the IPOB came out publicly to denounce the order.

The sit-at-home is no longer fully observed in most parts of Abia. While it is partially observed in Aba, the state’s commercial capital, the reverse is the case in Umuahia, the state capital, where the level of compliance has reduced to near zero.

The dismantling of some military checkpoints which before now, were major target of gunmen, has brought relief and joy to residents. This is as a result of the embarrassment and humiliation they daily received from security personnel at those checkpoints.

In the light of the security situation in the state in particular and South East in general, some residents who spoke to our correspondent, exonerated the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu from any culpability.

They rather accused Ekpa and Gentle Yahoo of criminalising the agitation for Biafra, at the detriment of those they professed they wanted to liberate.

Ndubuisi Igu, a resident of Umuahia accused Ekpa and Gentle Yahoo of deviating from the set goals of Kanu in the agitation for Biafra and went out of their way to unleash mayhem on the people of the South East.

“The agitation for Biafra as begun by Nnamdi Kanu went on well and smoothly from the onset. But when it was infiltrated by people like Simon Ekpa and Gentle Yahoo, they criminalised it and brought untold sufferings to the people.

“With the arrest of both men, I believe Abia State and the South East as a whole will have some respite security wise.”

Another resident of the state, Loveth Udo said the activities of Ekpa and Gentle Yahoo were reprehensible, adding that their arrest would bring some respite to the region. She called for the release of Kanu who she said committed no crime.

Governors in South East are not relenting in their efforts to checkmate insecurity in the region. Recently Governor Alex Otti of Abia State met with his Enugu State counterpart, Mr. Peter Mbah in Umuahia to deliberate among other things on the way forward to tackle insecurity in the South East.

After a closed down meeting, the two governors said they would continue to collaborate with each other to enhance security in the region.

Anambra

In Anambra State, many residents of the state said that the security situation of the state has improved greatly compared to what it used to be in the last six months or thereabouts.

A resident of Awka, John Udemezue, commended the state government for setting up a security outfit called Agunaechemba, saying that it has complemented the efforts of the police and other security agencies in curbing crimes in the state.“The truth is that there has been an improvement in security in Anambra State, at least for the past eight months, if I may say. There is a significant improvement in security. Maybe it’s because of the measures the state government put in place; that is Agunechemba security outfit.

“But then, the major problem now is that the members of the Agunaechemba are concentrated in the cities. The Agunaechemba operating in the villages are not well funded.

“The government expects the communities to buy their guns, uniforms, and also pay them salaries. So, government is just contributing a little. And you know that anything about security is capital intensive.

“So, they are using it to suffocate the villagers, most especially the ones in Ayamelum. They are using that security levy to suffocate them financially.

“The government should be able to take care of the things that the security outfit needs to function properly – their arms, ammunition, uniforms, kits, all the accessories. Government should be able to provide those things so as to relieve the communities from this financial burden considering the economic situation in Nigeria.

”But, overall, there is an improvement in security. Some of the communities that were taken over by either Biafran agitators or unknown gunmen have been recovered from them,” he stated.

Udemezue, who hails from Anaku community in Ayamelum Local Government Area of the state, advised the government to be more committed to the issue of security in the state particularly in the grassroots level.

“But like I said generally, government should pay more attention not lip service to the things that concern the Agunaechemba in villages. In my own community, Anaku, we don’t have a security vehicle, there’s no patrol van.

“Through our little efforts we have been able to buy them motorcycles and are currently contributing to see how we can help them get a patrol van which is expensive. We are talking about N20 million and above to get them a used pick up van.

“I can tell you that they’re almost working with their bare hands. Most of the motorcycles they are using are individually owned.

“They brought one Hilux for Agunaechemba for the whole local government of eight communities. Every community should at least have one like Peter Obi did in his time.

“Peter Obi gave them patrol van; every community had one. In some communities that are very large, Peter Obi was able to provide them with two or three. Places like Onitsha North and South; places like Ogbaru had about two or three patrol vans.”

Former President-General of Umuzu community in Ogbaru LGA, Chukwudum Ndedigwe, corroborated Udemezue’s position.

“I think that there is a need for them to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu because agitation for freedom and at the same time for the government to buckle up for there to be development in our society is not a bad thing.”

Recently, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, demanded the release of Kanu, leader of IPOB.

Ohanaeze made the demand at this year’s World Igbo Day Celebration held in Awka, Anambra State capital.

As for the military and police checkpoints, they still exist on major roads in the state. There are complaints by motorists that the checkpoints jointly manned by policemen and soldiers, each commercial vehicle driver is forced to part with at least N100. It is not clear how much private vehicle owners pay before they’re allowed to cross the checkpoints. From Awka to Ekwulobia, for example, there are about 17 police and military checkpoints.

Ebonyi

Ebonyi State has been relatively peaceful since the arrest of the two pro-Biafra   leaders – Simon Ekpa and Gentle Yahoo.

Adherents of Ekpa, an indigene of Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, have been causing havoc in the state through regular sit-at-home declarations which affected economic and social activities until he was arrested in Finland by the FBI.

Lives have been lost in the state, houses burnt by unknown gunmen believed to be Biafra agitators. Security agencies especially the police who were always the target of the unknown gunmen, were working in fear to avoid being attacked or killed.

Before the arrest of the two Biafra agitators, there used to be enforcement of the sit-at-home order on Mondays and other days in the state which caused tension and panic for residents of the state.

But immediately they were arrested, everywhere became calm with people going about their businesses without sit-at-home as it used to be.

Military checkpoints, which used to be seen in different parts of the state, were dismantled. Only structures erected for their shelter now exist in some places.

Some of the military checkpoints are Oshiri/Ezzama and Ezzamgbo among others.

The presence of soldiers at the checkpoints heightened fears among residents in the state before they were dismantled.

Chijioke Nwibo from Ozibo village, Ebonyi Local Government Area of the state, said he can now move freely following the relaxation of the sit-at-home order by Biafra agitators and the dismantling of military checkpoints.

“I am the happiest person my brother, I am very happy that sit-at-home has stopped and military checkpoints dismantled.

“This Ozibo community used to be very hot when sit-at-home was effective. You don’t come out unless you want to be attacked and those who couldn’t comply with it, were attacked, some were even killed.

“There was a time that a medical doctor was going to work at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki with his vehicle and ran into the Biafra agitators who mounted a road block on the bridge before Nnodo Secondary School and his car was set ablaze. He was very lucky to escape being killed,” he told Saturday Sun.

Enugu

Months after the arrest and subsequent conviction of separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa in Finland and the recent arrest of notorious enforcer, Gentle Yahoo, in Imo State, the security situation in the South-East, particularly in Enugu, appears to be steadily improving.

For years, the region had been plagued by violence attributed to unknown gunmen and the paralysing sit-at-home orders linked to the proscribed IPOB and its militant wing, the ESN. But today, residents say the tide is turning.

In Enugu, Mondays, once marked by deserted streets, are gradually returning to normal. Markets, schools, and filling stations now open without fear, and there have been no major security incidents on Mondays in a long time. However, some banks continue to shut their doors at the start of the week, citing safety concerns, even though other businesses have resumed full operations.

At Ogbete Market, traders say business is picking up. Emeka Okoro, who sells household items, explained: “Before, we used to live in fear. By Sunday evening, everyone would rush to buy what they needed for Monday because you couldn’t step out. But now, things are getting better. At least I can open my shop without looking over my shoulder every minute. That kind of freedom was something we didn’t have for years.”

A teacher at a secondary school on Independence Layout, Ifeoma Nnaji, confirmed that students now come to school on Mondays without disruption.

“Attendance is almost back to normal. In the past, parents would keep their children at home, but now classrooms are full. It’s a big relief for us as teachers, and also for the children who can get back to learning without interruptions.”

On the dismantling of military checkpoints across the region, opinion is mixed. Some residents welcome the move, saying it has eased movement and reduced extortion, while others fear it might embolden criminal elements if security agencies relax vigilance.

Ngozi Ude, a civil servant, said: “I feel freer driving to work now. Before, the checkpoints made the journey longer, and there were sometimes unpleasant encounters with security men. But I hope security will not suffer because of this. People want to move freely but still want to feel safe.”

Beyond everyday life, community leaders are also weighing the role played by agitators in the region’s insecurity. Chief Kenneth Agu, a traditional leader in Enugu, did not mince words.

“The way Simon Ekpa handled the quest for Biafra was very negative. It occasioned a situation where his boys were killing people in the East. They killed many people in New Market in Enugu and in Ebonyi State. They destroyed people’s farm produce. They abducted so many people. Also, many people hijacked Ekpa’s crusade. They started kidnapping people, stealing people’s cars, settling personal scores and calling it the work of ‘unknown gunmen.’

There were so many deaths ascribed to unknown gunmen, but in reality they were linked to Simon Ekpa and his cohorts. You see people burning trailers on the highway, destroying Igbo people’s goods. It was a very bad and inhuman approach to the Biafran struggle. It didn’t go down well with us at all.”

On Gentle Yahoo, he continued: “Gentle Yahoo was also one of those trained under that network. They emanated from Ikonso, from Nnamdi Kanu and Simon Ekpa’s structure. People who had the agitation of Biafra at heart were contributing money, but these boys were extorting them and using the agitation as cover to cause mayhem in the South-East.

“They were even extorting people living in the diaspora. His arrest has really helped to reduce insecurity because many people who were hiding behind IPOB or Gentle Yahoo have nothing to hide under anymore. The spate of kidnapping and car snatching has really decreased.”

On the future of Nnamdi Kanu, Chief Agu added: “I know, in one way or the other, President Tinubu would want to release him to gain political advantage. But the issue is that Nnamdi Kanu will not stop the agitation for Biafra, and when he is released, he will continue. People will hijack the issue again to rob, rape, maim and do all sorts of things. The Federal Government would like to release him, but they cannot guarantee that insecurity will not resurface once he continues to fan the embers of Biafra.”

Similarly, the President General of the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), Goodluck Ibem, condemned Simon Ekpa’s role, welcomed Gentle Yahoo’s arrest, and called for a political solution to Nnamdi Kanu’s case.

“Simon Ekpa, operating from abroad, has played a damaging and destabilising role in the South-East. Through inciting broadcasts, declaration of illegal sit-at-home orders, and propagation of violence, he contributed to the loss of lives, destruction of properties, and economic paralysis in many parts of the region.

“His actions have no legitimacy, and we distance ourselves from his brand of agitation, which thrives on fear, chaos, and bloodshed. His arrest and conviction abroad reflect the consequences of abusing platforms to incite violence in a region already grappling with insecurity,” he said.

Ibem continued: “The arrest of the notorious gang leader known as Gentle Yahoo, who has long terrorised communities in Imo State and beyond, is a welcome development. His criminal activities, masked as political agitation, caused immense suffering and fear among our people. With his arrest, we expect a marked reduction in violent attacks, kidnappings, and extortion in areas under his influence. This confirms our long-held position that many violent elements in the region are criminals hiding under the cloak of political agitation.”

On the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, he maintained that his case requires a political solution, not endless legal battles.

“His prolonged incarceration without resolution has fuelled tension, hardened minds, and allowed opportunistic elements to exploit the vacuum created by his absence. The Federal Government must demonstrate leadership by addressing the root causes of agitation and exploring dialogue and reconciliation.”

He concluded with a call for peace and accountability, saying: “The South-East is yearning for peace, development, and progress. This can only be achieved through honest dialogue, responsible leadership, and decisive action against real criminals. Enough is enough. Let us rebuild Ala Igbo in unity and peace.”

Imo

The security situation in Imo State is still fragile especially in Orlu and Okigwe zones where the activities of criminal elements are yet to abate.

The recent killing of over 27 people and several others injured by gunmen in three communities in Arondizuogu, Ideato North councils, have forced many people from the area to flee to Owerri, the state capital, which is relatively safer.  In the same vain, most residents of Orsu council have since abandoned their homes. It is the same for Umutanze in Orlu.

In Ezioha community in Mbaitoli council, where IPOB allegedly have its camp called B44 headed by one Monday Ogu who is said to be in charge of the Owerri -Onitsha axis, the group is believed to be responsible for the killings and kidnappings of prominent persons in  that axis up to Njaba and Orlu. 

It is also believed that it was the group that kidnapped a former chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Samuel Ohiri, Obi Orodo of Orodo community in Mbaitoli council area of the state in 2021. However, the security agencies are having a hard time dislodging the B44 camp from Ezioha community.

Okigwe has also remained on the boil, On 14 September, Chief Ngozi Ogbu, a former council chairman in Okigwe and  a member of the Imo State House of Assembly was abducted on his way to his Ihube community in Okigwe.

The Biafra agitators had vowed to kill their victim if the state government refuses to accede to their conditions. The group has demanded that the security post mounted along the Okigwe/Enugu axis be dismantled. 

It was not disclosed, however, whether the state government had acceded to their conditions or if any ransom was paid, as Hon. Ogbu later regained his freedom after spending over seven days in their captivity.

In early March of this year, gunmen had also killed seven persons alongside a traditional ruler in Onuimo for allegedly informing the police of their location in the area.

Although, the security agencies in the state have been battling the criminal elements, even with ubiquitous check points across the state, the criminals have been able to beat these check points and still wreak havoc on several communities.

With the exception of Owerri, the state capital where there is still movement every Monday declared as sit-at-home by IPOB in the last four years, the order is still being observed in other parts of the state every Monday. In fact, markets in most of the communities across the state remain closed, especially in Okigwe and Orlu where the Biafra agitators have their base.

Most residents who spoke to Saturday Sun have blamed the South East governors for the insecurity, noting that they have allowed the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu.

Some have also accused Simon Ekpa of being responsible for the heightened insecurity with his group.

Nnamdi Ihiegbulam, a printer, said that the insecurity in the South East is as a result of the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu by the Federal Government. He maintained that as long as the IPOB leader is still detained, insecurity in the zone will continue.  

“So, the best thing is to get him out of detention after all, he has won all his cases against the Federal Government even to the Supreme Court. This state of insecurity will continue. But if he is out then we will know who the criminals really are.”  

Chika Odoemena, a textile dealer at the Nworie Industrial Line Market said that Nnamdi Kanu is the cause of the current insecurity in the South East. He accused Nnamdi Kanu of brainwashing the youths.

“The main cause of the insecurity in the south East today is Nnamdi Kanu who brainwashed the youths that he will restore Biafra. Don’t forget that he had also told the youths via his broadcast on Radio Biafra that those who do not support Biafra are saboteurs. Nnamdi Kanu formed the ESN. Instead of the members to protect our forests as they promised to do, they turned it into a terror organisation, killing and kidnapping the same people they said they were going to protect. This is the real cause of the problem and even if Nnamdi Kanu is released today, the insecurity will not stop because the IPOB now has several factions.”  

Kelechi Mbachu, an electrical engineer, said that what is responsible for the insecurity in the south east is agitation for Biafra and the high handedness of both the state and federal government. 

“The handling of the agitation for Biafra is as a result of the marginalisation of the South East. But, the way it is being handled by the federal and state governments by using extreme force to crush the agitation,escalated the situation, but I think that if the South East governors pressurise the Federal Government to release him, it will help reduce the problem.

“You know that in the absence of Nnamdi Kanu, Simon Ekpa claimed to be deputy leader of IPOB and formed his own group called the ‘Auto Pilot’, which were now fighting with ESN for supremacy and the internal war between them is still raging on. Gentle Yahoo was working for Simon Ekpa who is now in jail.”