Author(s): Chukwugekwu Victor EBONINE, Tope Shola AKINYETUN
Publication name: Romanian Intelligence Studies Review
Publisher name: Mihai Viteazul National Intelligence Academy
Publication type: Journal article
Publication date: December 31, 2022
Pagination:
Issue/ Volume: 28/2022
DOI:
Abstract:
The South East of Nigeria has been plagued with skirmishes of neo-civil war
between the people of the region and the government. The “new war” in the Southeast is
softly prosecuted as a “siege” which is meant to achieve two basic objectives: genocide and
economic asphyxiation; typical of what was obtained in the civil war era. Rooted in the
sheer perceived malignment of the region mostly populated by the Ibos, the activities of
the security forces set up to execute the objectives have been met with stiff resistance from
the people through various groups including the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) in a
struggle for survival. The paper adopts a qualitative approach that draws data from
secondary sources such as textbooks, peer-reviewed journal articles, newspapers and
internet sources. It is concluded that prolonged injustice and marginalization occasioned
separatist movements and fuel insecurity in South East Nigeria. The paper recommends
the re-integration of the people into governance to combat alienation and exclusion.
Government should also promote the de-sieging of the region and convoke a Sovereign
National Conference that will involve critical stakeholders in the country to restore peace,
engender social change and promote development in the region.
Keywords: Biafra, insecurity, marginalization, siege, South East.
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