De-proscribing IPOB as terror group will pave way for dialogue -Ex-DSS director, Ejiofor

A former Director of the Department of State Services, Mike Ejiofor, on Monday suggested that the de-proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra as a terrorist organisation may pave way for dialogue and amicable solution to the crisis engulfing the South-Eastern part of the country.

Ejiofor who stated this in an interview with The PUNCH, also said the people of the zone complied with IPOB’s sit-at-home order probably because they feared being caught up in a crossfire between state security agents and operatives of IPOB’s Eastern Security Network.

IPOB had on Monday issued a stay-at-home order in Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Abia, and Ebonyi States to mark the 54th anniversary of Biafra which grounded economic activities in the region.

Commenting on the development, Ejiofor said, “People comply with the lockdown out of fear. People are afraid of both the military and IPOB, they are afraid of the consequences of coming out. There could be a clash between IPOB and security forces and the people might be caught in a crossfire. So, the best thing to do is to stay at home.”

Asked whether the growing insecurity in the zone will affect the 2023 elections, the former DSS director said, “Until we get there but the government should find a way of resolving this issue before the election.

“Unfortunately, the government cannot engage a terrorist organisation. IPOB has been classified as a terrorist organisation. The government should look for a political solution by de-proscribing IPOB and engaging them in dialogue.

“But not only IPOB, but the government should also engage the leaders in the South-East. This will kind of douse tension because there is so much tension in the land. This is a political problem that requires a political solution. If we continue to flex muscles – IPOB on one side, the government on the other side – the citizens will suffer because when two elephants fight, the grass suffers – the citizens will suffer both economically and politically.”

The government of President Muhammadu Buhari in September 2017 outlawed IPOB and declared that the activities of the secessionist group constituted an act of terrorism and illegality.