South East: Over 600 youths killed in 49 days as FG shifts focus to IPOB, employs secret abductions

More than 697 youths have been killed in 49 days by security agents in the five South-East states since the crackdown on the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB began.

There are also indications that President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government has shifted full attention to IPOB and the Eastern Security Network, ESN with a strategy that includes secret abduction, shoot-at-sight, open killings and geo-tracking of mobile phones to monitor the activities of suspected members of the group.

Recall that on the 12th of May, the FG announced new security measures in the region. The measures include deployment of tactical teams to the region, especially Imo State which has seen increased attacks by hoodlums the FG allege to be IPOB members.

The group, has, however, denied responsibility for the attacks on several occasions.

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba had after the security meeting with Buhari informed journalists of the decision of the government to evolve a new approach in tackling the rising trends in the South East.

Coordinating these new security measures in the region are DIG Tijani Baba, AIG Habi Sani, AIG John Abang, Compol Sadiq Idris Abubakar, Decompol Adepoju Ilori, Decompol Abba Kyari and Decompol Kolo Yusuf.

While the IGP Tactical Squad led by Kyari has maintained a level of visibility, other tactical squads like NHSS employ secret abduction of high profile persons.

Security insiders who didn’t want to be named said that part of the new security measures includes a major shift in media coverage and public statements from the Presidency elevating the security issues in the South East to a height more threatening to the country than banditry and ISWAP operating in the North West and North East.

The insiders said that threat of a possible break up of Nigeria owing to IPOB activities and general acceptance by the South East populace has created panic in Abuja and in the diplomatic circle, adding that Buhari’s does not want to take chances with the situation.

According to them, the FG can condone criminal elements and terrorists like bandits, Fulani Herdsmen and ISWAP but not IPOB which has the potentials to break up the country.

On the field, security agencies are moving from home to home in major South-East cities and towns, arresting suspected IPOB members. Those whose public invasion of their homes will draw public attention are secretly abducted, the findings showed.

The military which is also heavily involved in the crackdown regularly set homes of suspected IPOB members ablaze when they meet their absence.

AlaIgbo Political Leadership Awareness said that apart from the 697 killed, about 294 youths have been confirmed missing.

It added that at least 15 Igbo youths are killed daily by security agents.

“They’re dragged out of their homes, student hostels, tagged IPOB members and summarily executed or carted away to Abuja where they’re dehumanised.

“Till date, none of them taken to Abuja has returned or been heard from. The current situation in Imo State is gruesome and needs urgent intervention. A genocide is unfolding before our very eyes,” the group said.

The group also accused the Federal Government of unleashing a mercenary group tagged “Unknown Gunmen” to justify military presence in the region.

“One wonders why we have not seen a similar response to areas ravaged by Boko Haram or the notorious herdsmen/myetti Allah, two of the deadliest terror groups in the world.

“It is also sad that the comatose leadership in Alaigbo has again failed to protect the lives and property of Igbos.

“Their purpose in the region is highly questionable at this point. Perhaps, the time has come to sack them all from office and hold them accountable for their failures,” the group concluded.