Security Operatives To Attack IPOB Members, Others Causing Insurgence In South-East
Nigerian security forces are planning a “massive onslaught” in the south-east, according to TheCable, amid concerns about possible human rights abuses and extrajudicial murders in the campaign against Boko Haram.
Since the turn of the year, there has been a concerted campaign of arson on government facilities and the death of police officers in the south-east and sections of the south-south.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices, police stations, jails, and police checkpoints have all been targeted.
According to many security sources, President Muhammadu Buhari has given the security services the go-ahead to prevent what many Nigerians fear is a plunge into anarchy.
“The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has recruited over 50,000 foot soldiers, as it were, into its Eastern Security Network (ESN) and stockpiled arms, most of which were stolen from police armoury during the End SARS protests,” a security operative told TheCable.
“They have been bringing in arms through Cameroon in partnership with the Ambazonia Governing Council, the separatist movement in Southern Cameroon. IPOB sends at least 2,000 men and women to Cameroon for training on weapon handling every week.”
IPOB has stockpiled “bottle bombs,” locally made explosive devices, Pump Action rifles, and “swords,” according to another top security official.
Two people identified as “top commanders of ESN” were overheard discussing surveillance of INEC offices, militants wounded in previous attacks, IPOB camp operations, doctors treating wounded colleagues, the installation of CCTV cameras at their training camps in Udi, Emene, and Nsukka, and how to attack police cells on a recorded tape.
The security operative added, “This is warfare.”
IPOB has denied that its separatist movement is violent, although it has admitted to manufacturing rifles and ammunition locally.
Nigeria expects to receive military weapons from the United States this month, including fighter jets.
According to TheCable, police operations in the southeast have been restructured in preparation for the offensive, with three deputy commissioners of police and anti-riot squadrons assigned each state.
On Tuesday, Buhari warned that those who seek to destabilize the system will soon face “the shock of their lives.” We’ve given them plenty of time.”
Buhari claimed it would be difficult to restore peace during the Nigerian Civil War of 1967-1970, when the Nigerian government fought the proclamation of Biafra.
“Those of us who spent 30 months in the fields and lived through the conflict will speak to them in their own language. We’re going to be extremely difficult sooner rather than later,” he continued.
“I hope some elites who couldn’t find their voices to rein in their wards when their region burned, won’t suddenly find their voices against Mr. President!” Festus Keyamo, minister of state for labour, hinted at the impending security offensive in a tweet on Tuesday. Those who cried that it is Mr. President’s responsibility to keep the peace should not try to tell him how to do his job right now.”
