“It’s not IPOB” — Odinkalu says politician-funded cults are behind South-East violence

Chidi Odinkalu, human rights lawyer, says cult groupsallegedly financed by politicians are driving the rising insecurity across thesouth-east region. Odinkalu’s comments follow persistent attacks in the region,where gunmen have targeted security operatives, razed police stations, anddestroyed public facilities. Security agencies have often linked such attacks to theproscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the EasternSecurity Network (ESN). However, speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’on Thursday, Odinkalu dismissed the popular notion that the IPOB is solelyresponsible for the security challenges in the region. He said while separatist agitation has contributed toinsecurity in the zone, it is “ridiculous” to blame IPOB for every act ofviolence. “The idea that every issue in the south-east is an IPOBissue is ridiculous,” Odinkalu said. “It’s absolutely not the case. Let me tell you this: thebiggest single issue, in security terms, confronting the south-east, in myestimation, based on the work I have done on this, is—I regret to disappointyou—not IPOB; it is one word: cults, financed by politicians. “Now, the cults are the biggest single issue, and you don’thave a clue how terrible the problem of cults in the south-east is at thisparticular time.” Odinkalu said the link between cults and the secessionistmovement is overstated. “Unquestionably, there is an IPOB issue, but the IPOB issueis overblown,” he said. “Unfortunately, there is an IPOB issue, but the IPOB issueis overblown. If somebody tells you that Obosi in Anambra state is an IPOBissue, that person is a liar. IPOB cannot survive in Obosi.” The former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission(NHRC) said IPOB’s influence is limited in certain communities, making itinaccurate to blame the group for all security challenges in the region. He asserted that a greater threat to peace and stability inthe south-east is the growing involvement of politicians in sponsoring cults.

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