A former Director of the Department of State Security Services, DSS, Mike Ejiofor, has technically blamed the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, as a terrorists organisation by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, for the ongoing attacks on Police Formations, others, in the South-East region, .
He said that the de-proscription of IPOB as a terrorist organisation, will pave the way for dialogue and amicable solution to the crisis in the South-East.
Ejiofor stated this in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, on Monday.
He also said that the people of the zone complied with IPOB’s sit-at-home order, probably because they feared being caught up in a crossfire between State Security Agents and Operatives of IPOB’s Eastern Security Network, ESN.
His words: “People comply with the lockdown out of fear. People are afraid of both the Military and IPOB, they are afraid of the consequences of coming out. There could be a clash between IPOB and Security Forces, and the people might be caught in a crossfire. So, the best thing to do is to stay at home.”
Asked whether the growing insecurity in the zone will affect the 2023 elections, the former DSS Director said: “Until we get there, but the government should find a way of resolving this issue before the election.
“Unfortunately, the government cannot engage a terrorist organisation. IPOB has been classified as a terrorist organsation. The government should look for a political solution by de-proscribing IPOB and engaging them in dialogue.
“But not only IPOB, the government should also engage the Leaders in the South-East. This will kind of douse tension, because there is so much tension in the land. This is a political problem that requires a political solution. If we continue to flex muscles – IPOB on one side, the government on the other side – the citizens will suffer because when two elephants fight, the grass suffer – the citizens will suffer both economically and politically.”
Recall, that the President Buhari Federal Government, in September 2017, proscribed IPOB, and declared that the activities of the secessionist group constitute an act of terrorism and illegality.
More news later…
