Clamping down on IPOB ‘will disrupt peace’ in south-east

Nzuko Umunna, an association of Igbo stakeholders, says clamping down on the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) will disrupt the peace in the south-east.

The association said this on Wednesday while reacting to a reported directive from Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, asking soldiers to clamp down on the secessionist group.

It quoted Buratai as giving the directive “over unsubstantiated plans” by IPOB to disrupt the forthcoming general elections.

“We view as totally misplaced and uncalled for, the planned clampdown on IPOB members as well as the attendant militarization of the forthcoming elections and the South East zone generally,” the group said in a statement signed by Ngozi Odumuko, its coordinator.

“We urge President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the military hierarchy to immediately call off the so-called “Operations Safe Conduct.

“In fact, rather than quell any perceived excesses of IPOB, this ill-advised military operations is bound to foul the peaceful political climate in the south-east zone and provoke restiveness among Igbo youths.

“This will turn the South East zone into yet another killing field, reminiscent of the September 2017 Operation Python Dance bloodbath which reportedly claimed the lives of about 200 defenceless Igbo youths.”

The group alleged that while Buratai issued the directive, he “merely asked the GOCs and commanders to encourage “enhanced liaison” in very volatile zones of the country in order to “de-escalate tension.”

“We note that IPOB has merely urged its members to sit at home during the forthcoming elections as a ‘referendum’ for its quest towards self-determination,” it said.

“It is noteworthy that unlike some terrorist organisations like ISIS that have declared war on the state, IPOB has consistently affirmed that it is a lawful and non-violent socio-ethnic pressure group seeking self-determination as guaranteed under international law.”