National Issues
IPOB AGITATIONS: BETWEEN ACTIVISM AND TERRORISM
UNTIL the recent declaration by the Nigeria’s military that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is a terrorist group, members have been operating with impunity particularly in the South-Eastern part of the country. Before the skirmish and eventually onslaught against IPOB members by the Federal army, the general impression created by Nnamdi Kanu’s boys was that they can over-run the country within a twinkle of an eye.
If not for the excesses and display of anarchistic principles by IPOB, the Nigeria’s army wouldn’t have started military campaign in the region. One other thing that prompted the operation python dances II is the recalcitrant nature of Kanu’s group.
Given the secessionist objectives, hate speeches and inciting videos of Nnamdi Kanu in the last three months, it will be a great disservice to the nation for President Muhammed Buhari to keep mute over the group assault against our collective psyche as a people. If he had heeded the warning early enough, the decision to launch military campaign in the region wouldn’t have arose.
Even if he had meant well for his people when he started the activism, the inherently random use of propaganda and fire arms has turned the harrow-head of the struggle to a villain instead of an hero. Whoever are the group advisors and strategists had done a sort of collateral damage to the struggle with the militarism and excesses of the group. Worse still, the proscription of IPOB by the southeast governors and Ohanaeze is a big blow to the survival of the group and it’s members now and in the future.
Expectedly, the Kanu’s group had not only been disowned but with the disclaimer by the leadership of the region, the members had obviously become endangered. I am therefore not surprised that Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) described the emergency of the terror group as a consequence of failure of Igbo leaders to provide proper leadership for the region.
On whether President Muhammed Buhari was right or wrong to have declared military action depends on the angle from where one looks at the issue. In my own view, President Buhari owes the nation the responsibility of depending it’s sovereignty and territorial integrity at all times. Obviously, the actions and ulterances of Kanu and his cohorts are not only capable of undermining the Nigeria’s sovereignty, it can equally put its territorial integrity into total jeopardy.
Given the frequent and widespread reports of wanton destruction of properties, maiming and killings, kidnapping and secessionist activities of Kanu’s group in the southeast, the military might be right for tagging IPOB a terrorist group.The activities of the group is treasonable and has reached a stage where it can no longer be tolerated.
The degrading conduct of IPOB is now attracting international attention. IPOB qualifies to be called a terrorist group for its felonious pursuits and lawlessness. IPOB is not different from Boko Haram given the fact that it has adopted its flag, raised military and declared independent states within the federation. If Boko Haram is regarded as terrorist group for arms struggle, assassinations, kidnapping and contesting the nation’s sovereignty the same description suits IPOB.
Both groups are best be described as enemy of the state for their persistent attacks on Nigeria’s sovereignty.It is therefore not an aberration or affront against the natural order for the military to opt for the option of counter terrorism.
Again, the diplomatic row spurred by the romances between IPOB and AbdulKadir Erkahraman, a Turkish citizen has given the entire narrative a necessary international dimension. Until the recent disclaimer by Turkish Embassy, the insinuation that the Turkish government was drumming support for Biafra agitation and were behind the accusation of genocide against President Buhari was very popular particularly on social media and new media.
Whoever has read the book titled ‘Terrorism’ by Walter Laqueur and ‘The ultimate ‘Terrorists by Jessica Stern would agree with the Defence Headquarters that sociologically, psychologically and legally, the activities of IPOB qualifies it to be described as a terrorist group.
In the circumstance where Nnamdi Kanu keep on threatening and inciting his militias to burn the country if he is re-arrested, government is justified to have endorsed operation python dances.
Similar operations had been launched and prosecuted in other parts of the country in the past where corporate existence of the nation was earlier being threatened.
The argument that army’s presence around Afara Ukwa, the ancestral home of Nnadi Kanu amounts to act of provocation is utter nonsense.
With the manner of retreat and how Kanu hibernated since the military campaign in his home town began, the inward and outward cowardliness of this do called Biafran agitator is glaringly exposed. He would have waited to match the Nigeria’s Army with equal force as a proof of his preparedness for secession from the federation.
From the facts available, the victimhood rhetorics and propaganda that President Buhari is trying to wage a genocidal war against Igbo is baseless and unfounded. Apparently, the propaganda has failed. The retreat by Kanu’s group is a triumph of the federal might over ethnic militarism and chauvinism.
Of significant note is solidarity parade across Kano streets by the northern youth in response to provocation by the IPOB. This has really prevented the possibility of reprissal attack against the Igbos living in the North following the activities of ethnic jingoists in Abia, the country home of Nnamdi Kanu. What this implies is that the Northern youths seen to be more committed to national integration and cohesion in the present circumstance.
The call by the southeaster governors for the withdrawal of federal troop from the region, however sounds plausible but the timing depends on how soon peace is restored to the region.
Above all, the specific lessons in the entire development need special highlights. The first is that there is discontent and disaffection in the land due to lopsidedness of the Nigeria’s federal structure. Irrespective of the name tag, the fact still remains that there is the need for national dialogue to address some unanswered national questions.
Whether this is to be called restructuring or borrowing Prof. Wole Soyinka’s word-reconfiguration – it is an incontrovertible fact that Nigerian are not one in spirit, thoughts, belief system and culture.
If the country must remain indissoluble and indivisible entity, strong and united nation, the government should create opportunities and enabling environment for the aggrieved groups to come up with their demands and grounds for agitation for the country to experience a lasting peace.
Another important lesson is that social crusaders and activists should learn not to over-estimate their strength. Besides, all of us need to realise that it is always calamitous to start a war one cannot win. From all indications, IPOB is already being defeated by men of operation Python dances.
What this potend is that by October 2017 next adjournment of Kanu’s court case, he would see the full wrath of law in case he fails to appear in court for proper prosecution of his case.
I am sure, the man would be both hypertensive and in serious dilemma as the next date of his case adjournment is drawing near wherever the place of his hibernation. Moreso, he has ran foul of virtually all his bail conditions in speeches and action. Predictably, the bail bond will be reviewed to advantage of the nation’s security system thereby putting the man in shackle until he is considered remorseful.
Rahaman Onike,
An Author and Policy Analyst,
writes from Oyo State College of Agriculture & Technology, Igboora.
TEXT OF THE BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES, DECLARING STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RIVERS STATE ON TUESDAY 18 MARCH 2025
Fellow Nigerians, I feel greatly disturbed at the turn we have come to regarding the political crisis in Rivers State. Like many of you, I have watched with concern the development with the hope that the parties involved would allow good sense to prevail at the soonest, but all that hope burned out without any solution to the crisis.
With the crisis persisting, there is no way democratic governance, which we have all fought and worked for over the years, can thrive in a way that will redound to the benefit of the good people of the state. The state has been at a standstill since the crisis started, with the good people of the state not being able to have access to the dividends of democracy.
Also, it is public knowledge that the Governor of Rivers State for unjustifiable reasons, demolished the House of Assembly of the state as far back as 13th December 2023 and has, up until now, fourteen (14) months after, not rebuilt same. I have made personal interventions between the contending parties for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, but my efforts have been largely ignored by the parties to the crisis. I am also aware that many well-meaning Nigerians, Leaders of thought and Patriotic groups have also intervened at various times with the best of intentions to resolve the matter, but all their efforts were also to no avail. Still, I thank them.
On February 28, 2025, the supreme court, in a judgment in respect of about eight consolidated appeals concerning the political crisis in Rivers State, based on several grave unconstitutional acts and disregard of rule of law that have been committed by the Governor of Rivers State as shown by the evidence before it pronounced in very clear terms:
“a government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that make up the government of a state under the 1999 Constitution as amended. In this case the head of the executive arm of the government has chosen to collapse the legislature to enable him to govern without the legislature as a despot. As it is there is no government in Rivers State.”
The above pronouncement came after a catalogue of judicial findings of constitutional breaches against the Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Going Forward in their judgment, and having found and held that 27 members of the House who had allegedly defected
“are still valid members of Rivers State House of Assembly and cannot be prevented from participating in the proceedings of that House by the 8th Respondent (that is, the Governor) in cohorts with four members”
The Supreme Court then made some orders to restore the state to immediate constitutional democracy. These orders include the immediate passing of an Appropriation Bill by the Rivers State House of Assembly which up till now has not been facilitated.
Some militants had threatened fire and brimstone against their perceived enemy of the governor who has up till now NOT disowned them.
Apart from that both the House and the governor have not been able to work together.
Both of them do not realise that they are in office to work together for the peace and good governance of the state.
The latest security reports made available to me show that between yesterday and today there have been disturbing incidents of vandalization of pipelines by some militant without the governor taking any action to curtail them. I have, of course given stern order to the security agencies to ensure safety of lives of the good people of Rivers State and the oil pipelines.
With all these and many more, no good and responsible President will standby and allow the grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps prescribed by the Constitution to address the situation in the state, which no doubt requires extraordinary measures to restore good governance, peace, order and security.
In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State and the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State having failed to make a request to me as President to issue this proclamation as required by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, 18th March, 2025 and I so do.
By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.
In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.
The Administrator will not make any new laws. He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President for the state.
This declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette, a copy of which has been forwarded to the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution. It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help to restore peace and order in Rivers State by awakening all the contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on all political players in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
Long live a united, peaceful, secure and democratic Rivers State in particular and the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a whole.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has emphasized the need for the recruitment of intelligent graduates into its ranks, stating that crime-fighting requires intellect and strategic thinking.
DSS Director, Oluwatosin Ajayi, made this known on Wednesday while delivering a lecture at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State.
The lecture, titled “The Roles of the DSS in Security, Peacekeeping, and National Integration,” highlighted the agency’s crucial role in safeguarding the nation and the necessity of strengthening intelligence institutions.
Ajayi, represented by DSS Deputy Director Patrick Ikenweiwe, stressed that the country’s best minds should be drafted into the DSS to address the growing security challenges.
“If I have my way, the best graduates in the country should be compelled to join the DSS and serve the nation in tackling security threats,” Ikenweiwe stated.
Drawing a comparison to Israel’s academic system, he noted: “In Israel, students who score above 70 marks in their university entrance exam are automatically placed in the university. Tell me, how would a ‘Dundee’ (dullard) be able to counter a criminal gang made up of first-class brains? Intelligence is key to fighting crime.”
He further advocated for collaboration with academic institutions to identify top-performing students who could be recruited into the intelligence service.
The DSS official also outlined several threats to national security, including sabotage, subversion, and espionage, urging a comprehensive approach to national security that includes intelligence-driven solutions and a well-trained workforce.
The Nigerian government spent a staggering $3.58 billion on servicing foreign debt within the first nine months of 2024, marking a significant 39.77% increase compared to the $2.56 billion expended over the same period in 2023.
This data, drawn from a recent report on international payment statistics by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), reflects a concerning rise in the country’s foreign debt obligations amid depreciating currency values.
According to the report, the most substantial monthly debt servicing payment occurred in May 2024, totaling $854.37 million. This is a substantial 286.52% increase from May 2023’s $221.05 million.
Meanwhile, the highest monthly payment for 2023 was $641.7 million in July, underscoring the trend of Nigeria’s escalating debt costs.
Detailed analysis of monthly payments further illuminates the trend.
In January 2024, debt servicing costs surged by 398.89%, reaching $560.52 million, a significant rise from $112.35 million in January 2023. However, February saw a modest reduction of 1.84%, with costs decreasing from $288.54 million in 2023 to $283.22 million in 2024. March also recorded a decline of 31.04%, down to $276.17 million from $400.47 million the previous year.
Additional fluctuations in debt payments continued throughout the year, with June witnessing a slight decrease of 6.51% to $50.82 million from $54.36 million in 2023. July 2024 payments dropped by 15.48%, while August showed a 9.69% decline compared to 2023. September, however, reversed the trend with a 17.49% increase, highlighting persistent pressure on foreign debt obligations.
With the rise in exchange rates exacerbating these financial strains, Nigeria’s foreign debt servicing costs are projected to remain elevated.
The central bank’s data highlights how these obligations are stretching national resources as the naira’s devaluation continues to impact debt repayment in dollar terms.
Rising State Debt Levels Add Pressure
The federal government’s debt challenges are mirrored by state governments, whose collective debt rose to N11.47 trillion by June 30, 2024.
Despite allocations from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) and internally generated revenue (IGR), states remain heavily reliant on federal transfers to meet budgetary demands.
According to the Debt Management Office (DMO), the debt burden for Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) rose by 14.57% from N10.01 trillion in December 2023.
In naira terms, debt rose by 73.46%, from N4.15 trillion to N7.2 trillion, primarily due to the naira’s depreciation from N899.39 to N1,470.19 per dollar within six months. External debt for states and the FCT also increased from $4.61 billion to $4.89 billion during this period.
Further data from BudgIT’s 2024 State of States report illustrates how reliant states are on federal support. The report revealed that 32 states depended on FAAC allocations for at least 55% of their revenue in 2023.
In fact, 14 states relied on FAAC for 70% or more of their revenue. This heavy dependence on federal transfers underscores the vulnerability of states to fluctuations in federal revenue, particularly those tied to oil prices.
The economic challenges facing both the federal and state governments are stark. The combination of mounting foreign debt, fluctuating exchange rates, and high reliance on federally distributed revenue suggests a need for fiscal reforms to bolster revenue generation and reduce vulnerability to external shocks.
With foreign debt obligations continuing to grow, the report emphasizes the urgency for Nigeria to address its debt sustainability to foster long-term economic stability.
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