Chief Cyprian Akaolisa, a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Imo State, Nigeria, has vehemently denied allegations of financing the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). In a personally signed statement released in Owerri, the state capital, Akaolisa characterized the accusations as a malicious and deliberate attempt to smear his reputation. He attributed the campaign of calumny to IPOB’s resentment of his unwavering support for Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration and its efforts to combat insecurity in the state.
Akaolisa traced the origin of IPOB’s animosity towards him to 2020, following a public interview in which he pledged to prosecute ESN members responsible for the killing of police officers and civilians in Orlu Zone. He had also publicly endorsed the state government’s decision to deploy security forces to quell the unrest and dislodge the ESN from the area. These actions, Akaolisa believes, made him a prime target for reprisals. He recounted how his personal residence and his father’s property in Orsu Local Government Area were subsequently torched, attributing the attacks to IPOB and ESN.
The former Attorney-General argued that the latest smear campaign is a continuation of IPOB’s efforts to discredit individuals actively involved in the fight against insecurity in Orsu. He dismissed IPOB’s narrative that the group was invited by Orsu indigenes to protect them from Fulani herdsmen, emphasizing that there has been no Fulani herder presence in the area. He instead blamed the ESN for a surge in violence and criminal activities, including kidnapping, murder, cannibalism, and occultism, across Igboland, a region in southeastern Nigeria.
Akaolisa commended Governor Uzodimma’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of Imo State residents from what he termed the “nefarious activities” of individuals disguised as liberators. He firmly positioned himself as a staunch ally of the government’s security efforts, directly contrasting his stance with the alleged actions of IPOB and ESN. His statement underscores the volatile security situation in Imo State and the deep-seated tensions between the government and pro-Biafran separatist groups.
The ongoing conflict between the Nigerian government and IPOB, a group advocating for the secession of the Igbo-dominated southeastern region of Nigeria, has been marked by escalating violence and human rights concerns. IPOB has been accused of carrying out attacks against security forces and government installations, while the government has been criticized for its heavy-handed response, often leading to civilian casualties. The formation of the ESN, IPOB’s armed wing, has further complicated the security landscape, with accusations and counter-accusations of violence and extrajudicial killings from both sides.
The denial by Akaolisa highlights the complexities and challenges of addressing the security crisis in southeastern Nigeria. It underscores the deeply polarized environment where accusations of complicity with separatist groups are readily levelled against individuals perceived as opposing their cause. The former Attorney-General’s strong stance against IPOB and his support for the government’s security measures position him as a key figure in the ongoing conflict. His statement also serves as a testament to the precarious security situation in the region and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
