In 2016 when the federal government proscribed the Indigenous People of Biafra, I was among the few that lambasted the government of Buharibecause as at then the group (IPOB) were non violent.
I have never been a fan of President Muhammadu Buhari but a Nigerian. The President, by his actions and inactions fueled the agitations in the region and must be held accountable for every lives that have been lost. But truth be said, the recent killing of security agents and destruction of public and private facilities in the southeastern part of the country by suspected members of IPOB and Eastern Security Network, ESN, her militant wing, makes one to question the motive of the group.
On Sunday, Mr Nnamdi Kanu, through his spokesman, Emma Powerful, confessed that IPOB is Producing guns and other weapons locally. Hasn’t this confession vindicated the federal government that the group is a terrorist organization?
Is Nnamdi Kanu by his admittance, saying that he is a full blown terrorist? Is he finally acknowledging that Buhari administration was right to label him a terrorist?
Is it appropriate for him and his group, being non state actors, to be manufacturing weapons? Does it mean that he has commenced civil war already against the Nigerian State? Can his locally manufactured weapons withstand the firepower of Nigeria under the Buhari administration, which itself is seen as a terrorist administration by many? Perhaps will it be a battle of ‘terrorist’ IPOB with ‘terrorist’ administration of Buhari?
I am fully sympathetic with the cause of the southeast and I believe that letting them their own country will be in the best interest of everyone. But I don’t believe in violence of any form that will end up consuming innocent lives and properties.
Finally, I expect southeast masses and their elites to immediately call Nnamdi Kanu to order so as to halt anything that will lead to unnecessary bloodshed. Human lives are sacred, and the blood of residents of the southeast should not be spilled any further.
My prayers are with the innocent souls.
Usman Okai Austin
Public Affairs Analyst
Writes from Abuja .
