Human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has urged the government to take decisive action against what he described as a sustained and brutal campaign of violence threatening the nation’s stability.
He called for collective courage among Nigerians to confront uncomfortable realities, dismantle what he termed a “culture of denial,” and openly hold accountable those who enable violent crimes, whether directly or indirectly.
Ejiofor made the call in a statement titled “Hypocrisy at Its Peak: The Dangerous Diversion from Nigeria’s Real Enemies,”.
Without such resolve, he warned, any proposed solutions would remain ineffective.
Ejiofor argued that blaming IPOB for the country’s insecurity is both misleading and a deliberate attempt to divert attention from the true perpetrators.
He described IPOB as a globally recognized, non-violent movement, and said labeling it as a sponsor of terrorism undermines credibility and distracts from addressing real threats.
According to him, the real danger lies in the activities of violent extremist groups, including jihadist elements, insurgents, and armed groups posing as herdsmen.
He said these actors have consistently carried out widespread attacks that threaten national security and unity.
Widespread impact
Ejiofor noted that the violence has affected both security forces and civilians, particularly across the North-West, North-Central, North-East, and the Middle Belt, where communities continue to suffer daily attacks.
He lamented that the scale of the crisis, which should demand urgent national attention, is being overshadowed by what he described as misleading narratives and selective outrage.
This, he said, contributes to the persistence of insecurity in the affected regions.
Reiterating his position, Ejiofor stressed that only through honesty, accountability, and a firm commitment to truth can Nigeria effectively address its security challenges and move toward lasting peace.
