A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has sparked fresh debate after declaring that security operations currently targeting banditry in Northern Nigeria will eventually be extended to the South East to confront separatist violence.
In a post shared on his Facebook page, Igbokwe alleged that groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), its armed wing the Eastern Security Network (ESN), as well as what he described as Unknown Gunmen (UGM) and the Biafra Defense Forces (BDF), have inflicted prolonged violence on the region.
According to Igbokwe, the South East has endured nearly 15 years of insecurity marked by killings, intimidation, and economic disruption. He claimed that many innocent residents have lost their lives during this period, insisting that the perpetrators are not freedom fighters but criminals who prey on their own people.
His comments reflect the frustration of many residents who have witnessed repeated attacks on security personnel, traditional rulers, political figures, and ordinary citizens.
Igbokwe argued that once federal authorities conclude their operationsagainst armed bandits and insurgent groups in the North, attention will inevitably shift to the South East.
He warned that future security actions could involve intensive operations, including community-level searches, aimed at identifying and arresting those responsible for violent acts. According to him, such measures are necessary to restore peace, protect lives, and allow economic activities to return fully to the region.
The APC chieftain further criticized what he described as silence or passive support from some elites, arguing that failure to openly condemn violence has emboldened criminal elements.
He maintained that no genuine political or self-determination struggle justifies the killing of innocent people, destruction of public infrastructure, or enforcement of illegal sit-at-home orders that have crippled businesses and education in the South East.
