The recent arrest and extradition of the fugitive Nnamdi Kanu (leader of the secessionist group Indigenous People of Biafra – IPOB) and the raid on the house of Yoruba secessionist Sunday Igboho have stirred a lot of dust in the Nigerian political sphere.
Various political actors and interest groups have used this opportunity to express their opinion and interest regarding such actions.
While every Nigerian have the constituted right to express his opinion, it is, however, disappointing to see some non-state actors, interest groups, politicians and tribal leaders unjustly criticizing our security agencies (especially the DSS) and expressing all sort of unpatriotic statements capable of undermining the security and unity of our dear country.
Most of these actors have consistently shown little to no interest whenever these criminals are perpetrating crimes against the Nigerian state but would always suddenly develop and express support and sympathy towards these violent secessionist elements whenever the security agencies move against them in the interest of peace and national unity. To these actors, everything is politics, and that they have to criticize and oppose every action sanctioned by the government for which they are not part.
In the case of Nmandi Kanu, Nigerians are well aware of the charges of terrorism and illegal possession and importation of firearms against him, and how he violated all the terms of his bail and later jump bail only to continue instigating violence against the Nigerian state from abroad. His actions have resulted in the killing of civilians, military and paramilitary personnel, police forces and destruction of civil institutions by the Eastern Security Network (ESN), an armed wing of his organization. No sane government will allow a fugitive like Kanu to destabilize its country of over 200 million people.
On many occasions, Kanu has on many occasions promises to destroy Nigeria as he referred to the country as a Zoo. He has even threatened to deal with and even kill political leaders who attempt to condemn his actions and members. Recently in one of his propaganda videos dated 22/04/2021, he was quoted saying the following;
“All the animals in the Zoo will be destroyed, this is a promise and a pledge we are making to them”,
“If you see Army and police in your village, kill all of them. They are murderers and killers. Kill them”.
“This man (Governor Ikpeazu) is still alive, and that is why he is still talking; now we shall take the war to him in Abia State…, I can assure you of that… and this very man we are going to find him not just him and his family, we will find his children wherever they are in the world.”
“Wike is no longer sleeping in Government house; he is running from one barrack. I will find him as well.”
These are just some of his most recent threats against Nigeria and Nigerians.
The outstanding expertise and professionalism showed by the Nigerian Intelligent Agency (NIA), and Department of State Service (DSS) in collaboration with International Intelligent Agencies resulted in the arrest and repatriation of NnamdiKanu should make every peace-loving Nigeria proud of our security establishments. This will go a long way in earning the international respect they deserve, motivate security personnel and will serve as a warning to other people who intend to toe the path of Kanu.
Nigerians must support and stand by our security agencies, as that will significantly help solve many of the security problems bedevilling our country. The role played by the Attorney General of federation AbubakarMalami (SAN) in ensuring adherence to all the necessary international legal protocols in the arrest and repatriation of Kanu deserves commendation from all Nigerians.
Similarly, the action taken by DSS against the secessionist Sunday Igboho is a welcome development. The raid found stockpiles of weapons which the secessionist intends to use to unleash mayhem and violence against Nigerians. The move by DSS against Igboho came at the right time as it has thwarted his plans of launching violence against innocent people of a particular ethnicity. He is now into hiding against arrest by the Nigerian security agency, knowing fully well of the established evidence that will work against him in the court of law. In one of his videos which could be found online, Igboho can be quoted saying.
“For those that don’t own a gun, I am saying it, video me contribute money for them and buy gun for them, they don’t know where to get it, I will help buy guns for them.”
“don’t you see that the movement we made some days back, we gave you how we destroyed the village, we gave you a detail on how we went into the forest, but those we captured there we couldn’t give you that”
If Nigeria is to win the fight against insecurity and terrorism, Nigerians need not be distracted by agents of doom but should support the government and its security agencies to bring the current insecurity challenges to an end. No country can win this fight against insecurity without the support of its citizens!!!
Thank you for your time.
Signed:
Joint Non-State Actors Consultative Forum
Kano State Chapter
Katsina State Chapter
Zamfara State Chapter
Imo State Chapter
Kaduna State Chapter
Niger State Chapter
Sokoto State Chapter
Kogi State Chapter
FCT Chapter
