EDITORIAL: The DSS and IPOB clash

A recent clash between the operatives of the Directorate of State Security (DSS) and members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Emene Enugu State was another instance of the tense relationship between the security agents and the group.

There were conflicting reports on the cause of the recent clash and the number of casualties.

One version of the incident was that IPOB members had gathered in a compound belonging to one of their members to pray when DSS operatives invaded the venue and started shooting indiscriminately.

In the fracas that ensued, according to this version, twenty-one IPOB members were killed and forty-five were arrested.

It is also reported that the security officers took two corpses of the group’s members away.

In another account, the DSS said that their officers were on a regular patrol when IPOB members sighted and attacked them, killing two of their officers.

IPOB has since refuted the allegation that their members attacked DSS officials because they do not carry weapons.

Meanwhile, IPOB has called for the release of forty-five of its members and the two corpses of their members in the hands of the DSS.

IPOB, according to reports, has also threatened to avenge the death of its members in the hands of the DSS and other security operatives.

With these developments, there is palpable tension in the South-East, bus drivers have gone on strike and commercial activities have been grounded.

The spate of agitation by different groups in the country has become a source of worry to compatriots.

Beside the officially proscribed IPOB, other groups are agitating for issues beyond the mundane. Some of these groups have assumed a murderous identity through killing, raping, and kidnapping.

Nigerians are all aware of the bloody activities of the savage Boko Haram terrorist fundamentalist group.

Nigerians are also aware of the heinous activities of Fulani herdsmen across the country.

The question is why have the Fulani herdsmen who kill, kidnap and rape not been declared as terrorists, dealt with according to extant laws and proscribed?

Also, the idea of pardoning Boko Haram members, rehabilitating them with taxpayers’ money, and sending them to school abroad is offensive to our sensibilities.

It is true that no government will tolerate the excesses of any secessionist group like IPOB, the government must be seen to be fair to all other groups in the country.

To come down hard on one agitating group and treat other violent groups in the country with kid gloves is not in the interest of the country’s unity.

This will only promote further strife and increased perception of injustice from the populace.

The continued confrontation between agitators and security operatives brings us back to the national question.

Are the different groups that make up Nigeria happy to continue to exist as one country?

Of course, there are many issues which promote injustice in Nigeria where certain parts of the country are privileged to the exclusion of other parts of the country.

The federal government should address these issues and come up with a scheme that will ensure equitable treatment and fairness to all.

Certainly, if these issues are not addressed, different groups will always stage protests. Security operatives must be well trained to control public demonstrations because there are obvious issues that give rise to them.

Agitations are inevitable realities in Nigeria and may continue until the national question is addressed.

From all indications, agitations are fuelled by cases of injustice and marginalization.

Many sections of the country feel left out and marginalized in the general scheme of things in Nigeria.

Therefore, they have lost all sense of belonging and oneness in the polity.

The government must address all cases of injustice arising from the allocation of resources, appointments, location of major federal government establishments and policies of the government that perpetrate marginalization.

It is for this reason that we call for restructuring the political configuration of the country.

This, we believe, will pacify all the ethnic groups in the country and put agitations and calls for disintegration to rest.

Certainly, Nigerians have become disenchanted with the way the country is currently governed.

It is also very important to curtail violent confrontations between agitating groups and security operatives because it leads to loss of lives.

Nigeria cannot afford to lose the lives of the citizens to avoidable confrontations.

It is condemnable for security operatives to shoot demonstrators and kill them for expressing their angst in the country.

People have the right to peaceful protest without undue harassment and manhandling from security operatives.

In developed countries of the world, protesters are always dispersed with tear-gas rather than with live ammunition.

Finally, the point must be reiterated that all human lives are precious. On no account should lives be terminated by security men when citizens set out to express their fundamental rights.

Once it is confirmed that IPOB members were killed, it is imperative on the government to make restitution and ensure that there is no reoccurrence.

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We also sympathize with security men who lost their lives.

Also, the federal government should promote dialogue with dissenting groups which have visible leaders.

It is dangerous to drive such groups underground while leaving murderous herdsmen to kill and destroy lives.

All breaches of the peace should be brought before the judiciary for adjudication.