…travellers attest to bubbling life in South East

…but concerns remain over pockets of flashpoints

The cloud of fear that enveloped the South East geopolitical zone appears to be clearing.

Although incidents of attacks are still taking place in some parts of South East geopolitical zone and the sit-at-home is still in force, travellers say that economic activities are picking up in that part of the country.

Unlike in the past when the zone was dreaded and regarded as a no-go-area by many travellers, particularly people from the zone, such is no longer the case these days.

The zone has been under siege by some elements who hide under the agitation for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to wreak havoc in the zone.

Activities of these criminal elements have led to the untimely death of many innocent citizens and destruction of government and individual properties.

Added to this criminality was the introduction of kidnapping for ransom, which aggravated the insecurity situation in Igboland. This also led to the flooding of the major roads in the state with roadblocks manned by military personnel and other assorted security agencies. These roadblocks seem to constitute more insecurity by harsh policing practices and extreme extortion through fixed fees.

From the accounts of those who travelled to the zone for the Yuletide, however, Alaigbo was very peaceful with various kinds of celebrations without hindrance.

The various police commands in the zone tried to bolden residents and visitors with statements.

For instance, in Ebonyi State where there was no report of any incident, during the Yuletide in any part of the state, the state Police command had assured residents of the state of adequate security.

The CP, Uche Anya, in a statement had warned everyone to refrain from using bangers (firecrackers) during the period due to the risks of fire outbreaks and the panic caused by loud noises. Additionally, the burning of tires on roads and other similar actions taken by masquerades were warned against to avoid breaching the rights of others or obstruct traffic. Police commands issued contact numbers in case of trouble.

There was caution on the part of celebrants and tourists around Anambra State, especially Onitsha, the largest commercial city of West Africa.

A returnee in Umuawulu Village in Awka South LGA said the situation was relatively calm with serious high security consciousness. The source said there was no late movement and hanging around, and that people moved in convoy for visits with paid police personnel and local vigilante guards.

But in other areas prone to attacks by unknown gunmen, the source went on, the places were still no-go areas, and invitations were declined due to fear.

Most celebrants scheduled their events as early as 11am in places like Abatete to end at about 4pm. They now remained in hotels to next day.

The note of caution increased due to the kidnap attack of two Catholic reverend sisters. The abduction, which occurred along Ufuma Road as the sisters were returning from a meeting in Ogboji has left the Catholic Community in the state in profound anxiety and fear.

Read also: South East gears up to welcome indigenes as Yuletide nears

Onitsha town also exercised caution. A chief, Chike Ifedi, captured the mood in an interview with BusinessDay. He said that people were cautious and that roads were empty after 7pm.

He also observed that many high net-worth people did not return to the South-East still. He also said that persons driving exotic cars were warned not to parade after 7pm.

In most of Alaigbo, up to Asaba and other towns in Delta State, the state police command tried its best to ensure security of lives and property of the citizens. Residents and business operators were cautious and shops closed early even in Asaba metropolis for fear of being kidnapped or attacked by armed robbers.

Most persons understand that anyone keeping late was running very high risk.

Delta State may be against Sit-at-Home but criminal activities seem high especially in Asaba. Most persons still preferred air travel. This must have made an Abuja-based lawyer to say the situation he met in Anambra State was still palpable.

Sources in Imo and Abia States said the two states were fairly peaceful this Yuletide. It was reported that presence of security operatives on major roads did not allow hoodlums to operate.

Some sources attribute this to the call by IPOB to ensure that Ndi-Igbo in diaspora returned for the 2024 Yuletide. The group had issued a stern warning to criminal elements in the South East, demanding they leave the region or face the consequences.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to restoring peace and ensuring a safe environment for residents during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The group in a statement, signed by Emma Powerful, its Media and Publicity secretary, announced that it had made arrangements with the Eastern Security Network (ESN) to provide security throughout Igbo land during the festive season.

The pro-Biafra group urged Ndigbo to return home for the holidays, assuring them that their safety was guaranteed.

“We also encourage our people, who wish to return home to enjoy the Christmas and New Year seasons as usual, we assured them that ESN operatives will provide a peaceful atmosphere during the festive period.

“Alaigbo is a peaceful region. IPOB encourages our people to contribute our best to ensuring that Alaigbo remains peaceful. We need peace to thrive as a strategic economic hub in Africa. Every Igbo man and woman must work towards peace and security in Alaigbo.

In Imo State, the security situation in the city and the villages during the Yuletide seemed fair. There were no breaches in Owerri and environs during the Christmas celebration. City dwellers were not harassed either by security agents or armed robbers.

“For the first time in three years, my family and I travelled to my village last December. Everywhere was peaceful. I did not hear ‘fim’ in terms of insecurity from any corner. In my community, there were all manner of activities- wedding, burial, launching and football matches. The markets operated without any incident of shooting. I really enjoyed myself in the village this time,” Ikechukwu Okenye, a Lagos-based businessman, told BusinessDay.

According to him, “Many of my kinsmen from various parts of the country also came home in their numbers. I can tell you that most of the cases of insecurity people talk about in the South East are exaggerated. People stay outside the zone to paint a picture of what does not exist. It is only when you get there that you see things for yourself.”

Okenye however, said that there are some parts of the zone that are more volatile than the others, noting also that sanity seems to be creeping back on the highways.

“What I found out this time around was that the numberless checkpoints where security agents manning them used to harass people unnecessarily, those security agents seem to have become more professional in their dealings with the travelling public.”

Kenneth Ubaji, who just returned from South East, also told BusinessDay that although there are still some elements of insecurity in Igboland, people appear to be looking beyond it and doing their businesses.

“I travel often to South East, even in the thick of the killings there, but the way it is being reported in the social media creates an impression that there is no life in the zone. These days, night journeys to the East have returned in full force. Things are easing up, even though we hear about kidnapping in some villages of traditional rulers and of those who are well off. Nigerians must desist from circulating rumours about what is not.”

Sources however, reported few incidents of harassments and kidnappings in the suburbs outside the city.

Some recorded what they termed a little spike in kidnapping, especially along Owerri-Onitsha Road axis which was attributed to pockets of the herdsmen hiding in the forests around Ogbaku in Mbaitolu Local Government Area, Ejemekuru, Okuku in Owerri West LGA, Agwa in Oguta Local Government Area.

Mbaise axis and Ngor-Okpala area did not record security breaches. Many thus, felt the level of security had improved at the yuletide.

What is next, many say, is how to sustain the peace and improve on it so it won’t look like a holiday that would end soon.