HRM Eze Philip Ajomiwe, the former Chairman of the Umuahia North Traditional Rulers Council in Abia State, has expressed skepticism about the recent arrest of Finland-based pro-Biafra activist, Simon Ekpa, as a solution to the insecurity plaguing the South-East region.
The monarch, speaking
exclusively with Vanguard, argued that the arrest could worsen tensions already
heightened by the continued detention of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)
leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
According to him, the immediate
and unconditional release of Kanu, and not the arrest of more Biafra agitators,
remains the panacea to the rising tension and insecurity in the South East.
This is as the Rule of Law and
Accountability Advocacy Centre, RULAAC, has urged the Federal Government to
initiate constructive dialogues with community and youth leaders in the South
East with a view to addressing claims of marginalization through policies
promoting equitable representation.
The monarch said: ” Arrest of
Ekpa won’t solve the insecurity in the South East. I think it will rather
increase it. We are talking of releasing Nnamdi Kanu but Government has not
done anything about that.
“Even though Ekpa has made a
lot of utterances which I don’t support, I don’t think his arrest or
repatriation will bring any solution. Rather, it will worsen things.
” We don’t want killing of
anybody – whether security operatives or civilians. If Government wants peace
to be restored to South East, it should release Nnamdi Kanu. Arresting or
repatriating Ekpa won’t help matters. When Sunday Igboho was arrested in Benin
Republic, was he repatriated? They went there and settled everything. So, they
should go there also and sort out things diplomatically”.
Meanwhile, the Executive
Director of RULAAC, Okechukwu Nwanguma, in a statement, said Ekpa’s arrest “has
brought to the fore the pressing insecurity issues in South East”, calling for
urgent actions to address all issues leading to insecurity in the zone.
“Addressing the challenges
posed by figures like Simon Ekpa requires a holistic approach, targeting the
socio-political issues fueling discontent. Only then can sustainable peace and
security in the Southeast be achieved. Without this comprehensive strategy, the
cycle of violence and the rise of new separatist movements are likely to
continue”, RULAAC said.
The statement further called
for the implementation of programmes to combat poverty, unemployment, and infrastructure
deficits in the zone.
The statement made available to
Vanguard further read: “Ekpa’s incendiary language has incited violence against
civilians and security personnel, worsening tensions in the region.
“There is growing discontent
among the Southeast populace regarding Ekpa’s activities and methods, which
endanger lives and destabilize the local economy.
“Irresponsible political
leadership and weak governance in the
southeast have created a void that separatist groups have exploited.
“Long-standing grievances
regarding political and economic exclusion have fueled support for extremist
narratives.
“Military responses and violence have deepened local distrust and grievances against the government.
“The lack of legitimate avenues
for expression has led to the rise of various separatist and criminal
factions.”
RULAAC urged the Federal
Government to strengthen community policing initiatives “to build trust and
ensure law enforcement is protective, not oppressive.”
It also called for the
development of programmes to engage youths positively and deter involvement in
violent extremism.
It further read: ”It’s time to
establish frameworks for monitoring extremist activities and ensuring
accountability for incitement to violence.
“Additionally, the government
must demonstrate its commitment to just solutions, including the call to
release Nnamdi Kanu.”
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