Chidi Odinkalu, human rights lawyer, says cult groups allegedly financed by politicians are driving the rising insecurity across the south-east region.
Odinkalu’s comments follow persistent attacks in the region,
where gunmen have targeted security operatives, razed police stations, and
destroyed public facilities.
Security agencies have often linked such attacks to the
proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern
Security Network (ESN).
However, speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’
on Thursday, Odinkalu dismissed the popular notion that the IPOB is solely
responsible for the security challenges in the region.
He said while separatist agitation has contributed to
insecurity in the zone, it is “ridiculous” to blame IPOB for every act of
violence.
“The idea that every issue in the south-east is an IPOB
issue is ridiculous,” Odinkalu said.
“It’s absolutely not the case. Let me tell you this: the
biggest single issue, in security terms, confronting the south-east, in my
estimation, based on the work I have done on this, is—I regret to disappoint
you—not IPOB; it is one word: cults, financed by politicians.
“Now, the cults are the biggest single issue, and you don’t
have a clue how terrible the problem of cults in the south-east is at this
particular time.”
Odinkalu said the link between cults and the secessionist
movement is overstated.
“Unquestionably, there is an IPOB issue, but the IPOB issue
is overblown,” he said.
“Unfortunately, there is an IPOB issue, but the IPOB issue
is overblown. If somebody tells you that Obosi in Anambra state is an IPOB
issue, that person is a liar. IPOB cannot survive in Obosi.”
The former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission
(NHRC) said IPOB’s influence is limited in certain communities, making it
inaccurate to blame the group for all security challenges in the region.
He asserted that a greater threat to peace and stability in
the south-east is the growing involvement of politicians in sponsoring cults.
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