“You Cannot Overlook Kanu’s Detention, It’s Injustice” – Abia Group

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

A coalition of Civil Society Groups in Abia State,  has called for the prioritization of dialogue over  violence to resolve the festering insecurity in the South East region.

The Coalition also urged the immediate dismantling of most of the security checkpoints in the region, insisting that they have become a veritable tool for mindless extortion and dehumanization of innocent people of the South East.

This is even as they insisted that the unconditional release of the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, from detention holds the key to the ultimate resolution of the region’s security challenges.

At a media briefing in Aba on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, jointly addressed by  Chuka Peter Okoye, Eunice Egbuna ,Obina Nwagbara ,Onwuka Glory and Cassius Ukwuegbe,to mark the 55th anniversary of the end of the Nigerian civil war, the coalition of major civil societies in Abia state regretted the weight of the crisis that has engulfed the South East region in the last few years.

According to it, the time is now ripe for stakeholders, civil society groups, Government and non-state actors to weigh-in on the prevailing security situation in the region.

” In the face of escalating tensions, dialogue must replace violence, and understanding must triumph over conflicts.

“South East Nigeria is currently facing a crisis marked by escalating tensions and violence. The region has been plagued by unrest ,with clashes between security forces and non-state actors, and attacks on citizens becoming increasingly frequent.

“The people of the South East Nigeria are living in fear and uncertainty with their security and welfare hanging in the balance .The situation has reached a critical point ,necessitating urgent attention and converted efforts to address the root causes”,  the Abia coalition stated.

According to the body, the rising conflict and unrest in the region are undoubtedly a fall-out of the separatist movements, and calls for session in the South East.

It maintained that the  renewed calls for Biafra since 1999 when the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB was formed are attributed to historical  grievances, resulting from marginalization of the zone since the civil war ended in 1970.

The Coalition noted that the situation is not also helped by the dearth of visionary, honest and purposeful leadership in the region at all levels of governance .

It explained that the problem of lack of focused leadership has in turn brought about discontent and dissolutionment arising mainly from poverty among the majority of the populace .

“The situation in the South East is complex and multifaceted as the region has become a powder keg of discontent.

The proscription of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, and continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu ,the declaration and enforcement of the numerous sit-at-home orders in protest against his trial ,and the quest to have May 30 as a Day of Remembrance for Igbo who died during the civil war have immensely contributed to the tensions leading to a cycle of violence and unrest in the region”,  the Abia Coalition noted.

The group lamented that rather than address the issue of alleged marginalization which the people have been  crying out against, the Federal  Government is seen to be responding with intimidation and even more marginalization.

“In Nigeria today, the South East has the least number of number of States, Local Governments Areas representatives, Political appointments and Federal Government presence .

“Nnamdi Kanu’s continued incarceration and no attempt by the Federal Government of Nigeria embrace other diplomatic approaches rather use of force to address the issue in a country where people from other regions have engaged in crimes against the state, but were engaged in dialogue is a testament to the marginalization of the People.

“Rather than engage in meaningful dialogue with the agitators for Biafra and stakeholders from the South East, Nigeria Government has chosen the use of force.

“Historical patterns show that the use of force has failed to resolve underlying grievances .Open dialogue will foster understanding and create an opportunity for lasting solutions to challenges faced in the region. It is essential that the Government acknowledges the voice of the people of the South East and addresses their concerns in a constructive manner.

“Amidst the conflicts, the people of the South East of Nigeria are bearing the brunt of the crisis ,facing threats to their safety ,livelihoods ,and basic human rights,and from our observation, the Federal Government of Nigeria in nonchalant about the plights of the citizens of the South East.

“Reports of human rights violations ,extra judicial killings ,and arbitrary arrests have raised alarm bells both within the country and on the international stage .The need to protect the civilian population and uphold their fundamental rights is paramount in any efforts to restore peace and stability to the region”, the group stated.

According to the coalition, drastically reducing the number of military, police and other security checkpoints will greatly assist in equally reducing tensions and violence in the region.

It described, as unprecedented and brazen, the extortion of the civilian populace in the South East.

” The extortion of motorists and young people by the personnel of the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police , and every other security agency on the roads in the South East is brazen and unprecedented.

“This has been going on despite the hues and cries by citizens ,including complaints on the floor of the Senate and House of Representatives by National Assembly members from the South East.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria appears to have continued to look the other way ,while security agencies intimidate and extort citizens at every checkpoint in the South East,

“The reactive and kinetic approach/conducts of security agents in the South East ,aimed at suppressing and exploiting people ,has further exacerbated the crisis in the region”, the body stated.

To this end,the coalition insisted that the situation in the region urgently calls for a national healing .

According to  it, the healing process should begin with the unconditional release of Kanu the IPOB leading ,a development which it strongly believes will serve to separate the genuine agitators from those merely building an economic capital out of the misery of the people ..

“The detention of a prominent leader only serves to deepen the wounds of division and mistrust in society.

“To overlook the detention and unending trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is to turn a blind eye to a serious case of injustice and endorsement of the continued marginalization of a people . Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release is not just a mere request, but a necessity for the restoration of peace and stability in the South East”, the Coalition noted.