A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Joe Igbokwe, has accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being responsible for widespread violence and deaths in the South-East over the past 15 years.
Igbokwe made the allegation on Saturday in a post shared on his Facebook page, where he described IPOB as a criminal organisation made up of killers, kidnappers, and violent elements who have destroyed peace in the region.
According to him, the South-East, once known as one of the most peaceful parts of Nigeria, began to lose its stability around 2013 when criminal activities and violent agitations increased.
“IPOB is a criminal organization that has killed our people in their thousands in the past 15 years,” Igbokwe wrote.
In his social media post, Igbokwe used strong language to express his anger over the situation in the South-East. He claimed that criminals operating in the region are linked to IPOB and blamed the group for kidnappings, killings, and fear that have affected daily life.
“All the criminals, all the killers, all the lowest people in the South-East, all the idiots and vagabonds, all the kidnappers in the South-East belong to IPOB,” he stated.
Igbokwe also said the region surrendered its peace to violent elements, leading to years of insecurity.
“We surrendered our peaceful zone to bandits and killers around 2013 and hell has been let loose,” he added.
His comments come amid renewed debates over sit-at-home protests, attacks on security personnel, and rising fear among residents in parts of the South-East.
The APC chieftain also mentioned Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, saying the governor holds the responsibility for security in the state.
“There is a sitting Governor in Anambra State. His name is Prof Chukwuma Soludo. The buck stops on his table,” Igbokwe wrote.
While he did not directly accuse the governor of wrongdoing, his statement suggested that state authorities must take firmer steps to restore law and order.
Igbokwe called for decisive action to reclaim the region from violent groups, warning that continued silence and inaction would worsen the situation.
“We have allowed children to take over the South-East and we must take it back by all means,” he said.
IPOB is a separatist group that campaigns for the creation of an independent state of Biafra in Nigeria’s South-East. The group has been linked to frequent sit-at-home orders, protests, and clashes with security agencies.
In 2017, the Federal Government proscribed IPOB and labelled it a terrorist organisation. IPOB has repeatedly denied involvement in violence and has accused the government of using insecurity to discredit its cause.
However, the South-East has experienced years of attacks on police stations, killings of security personnel, kidnappings, and enforced sit-at-home actions, which have badly affected businesses, schools, and transport.
Many residents have complained of fear, loss of income, and uncertainty, especially on Mondays when sit-at-home orders are often observed, sometimes due to threats rather than open support.
Opinions in the South-East remain divided over IPOB. While some people see the group as a voice against injustice and marginalisation, others blame it for worsening insecurity and economic hardship.
Business owners have repeatedly complained about losses caused by frequent shutdowns of markets and roads. Transport operators, traders, and civil servants say they often stay at home out of fear of attacks.
Community leaders and religious groups have also called for peace, dialogue, and an end to violence in the region.
Igbokwe’s comments have added to ongoing political tension over how to address insecurity in the South-East. Some politicians believe that criminal elements hide under the cover of agitation to commit crimes, while others argue that force alone will not solve the problem.
In recent months, South-East governors have pledged to improve security through joint regional efforts and cooperation with federal agencies.
Governor Soludo, for instance, has repeatedly said his administration will not tolerate lawlessness and has warned against sit-at-home orders, which he says hurt the economy and ordinary people.
In his Facebook post, Igbokwe used a local proverb to warn against silence and inaction, suggesting that ignoring a problem allows it to grow.
“Let me say this again: if out of annoyance you remove your cap and throw it away, a mad man will pick it and use it forever,” he wrote.
The statement was widely shared on social media and sparked reactions from supporters and critics alike.
While some praised him for speaking out, others accused him of making sweeping claims and using harsh language.
The South-East remains one of Nigeria’s most important commercial regions, known for trade, industry, and entrepreneurship. However, insecurity has slowed economic activities and discouraged investment.
As debates continue, residents of the region say their main concern is safety and the ability to go about their daily lives without fear.