The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has said Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) do not claim responsibility for criminal acts in the South East because most of the members of the group are educated.
General Musa said though IPOB denies involvement in criminality in the Igbo region, they allegedly have hands in criminal activities in the region.
He stated this on Friday in an interview with Arise TV General Musa explained that with the arrest of Simon Ekpa by Finland authority, security in the region has continued to improve. He also commended the people for speaking out against activities of criminal activities in the region.
“I mean, with the arrest of Simon Ekpa, you can imagine what has gone up. People have been speaking up in the southeast now for the first time. The stay-at-home thing is now being watered down, and I’m sure it’s going to stop immediately. We are working together with the governors. What we try to do now is to discuss with everybody, because we realize that fighting as much warfare is about communication. If you stay off and people don’t know what you’re doing, you get into trouble.
“So we’re taking everybody around. We’re bringing everybody together to know that they have a responsibility to do. And that’s what’s given us the successes,” he said.
Speaking on why IPOB denies involvement in criminal activities unlike bandits and terrorists in the North, the Chief of Defence Staff said most of the bandits are illiterates, unlike IPOB members.
“Well, they always want to deny it. I mean, basically, but everybody knows. They know it, that they’re the ones. It’s IPOB and ESN, and again, criminal elements. You know, normally when there’s impunity, a lot of acts of criminality, and then criminals take advantage of that. Everybody wants to be a part of it, and that’s what’s happening.
“Well, probably because of the nature of the individuals that are involved. You know, the one in the north is, basically, most of them are illiterates, not too well-learned. The ones in the southeast, some, so they know the implications of what they’re doing, and that’s why they want to stay away, because in case they have been arrested, they don’t want to be prosecuted. So those are the difference we have. But we know them, and then when they arrest, things are really picking up,” he stated.
General Musa added that success in the fight against criminality in the country was a result of collaborations of all stakeholders and support from the presidency.
