By Abigail Philip David
The legal counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called for increased collaboration between communities and security agencies to tackle the escalating insecurity in the South-East.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Ejiofor emphasized the importance of collective responsibility and proactive measures to combat crime in the region. He urged communities to work closely with security forces to eliminate criminal elements, while discouraging political compromises that hinder progress.
Ejiofor commended security agencies for the recent arrest of one of the masterminds behind the Ihiala killings, describing it as a significant breakthrough in the fight against crime in Anambra State.
He stressed the need for communities to actively identify and confront criminal elements to restore peace, asserting that such individuals should not be mischaracterized as “freedom fighters or defenders of any cause.”
Importance of Thorough Investigations
Ejiofor criticized the tendency to associate every violent crime in the South-East with IPOB or its security arm, ESN, without proper investigations. According to him, this approach undermines citizens’ trust and participation in addressing insecurity.
He stated, “The self-confessed murderer behind the recent heinous acts in Ihiala is an indigene of the community, not an outsider. His accomplices also reside within the community rather than in remote forests, as previously assumed. This highlights the need for greater community vigilance.”
Ejiofor also warned against prematurely publicizing confessions, arguing that doing so could hinder ongoing investigations. He reiterated that criminals must be treated as agents of chaos, not freedom fighters, and should face justice for their actions.
Call for Community Action
Ejiofor urged communities to take a more active role in ensuring security by identifying and confronting criminals. He emphasized that true Igbo or Biafran people would not support those who kill, maim, or kidnap their own people.
“Security must not be left solely to government agencies. Communities must actively participate to eliminate these bad elements and restore peace,” he said. “Effective collaboration between citizens and security agencies eliminates political compromises and fosters proactive responses to violent crimes.”
A Prayer for Peace
Ejiofor concluded by praying for the eradication of criminal elements and the restoration of peace across the South-East.
“May God heal our land and restore peace to Ihiala, Anambra, and the entire South-East,” he said. “Let us rise to the challenge, take responsibility for our security, and work together to reclaim the sanctity of our communities. United, we can overcome.”
