POB vs Nigerian Army: How one move changed everything

What started out as a “show-of-force” by the Nigerian Army in the Southeast has rapidly escalated into widespread tribal agitation.

Following the army’s alleged attack on the home of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, on Sunday, things have continued to go south at an unprecedented rate. Unprecedented because Nnamdi Kanu in an earlier response said he and the members of IPOB would not respond violently, however, recent events are indicating that that decision may no longer be on the table.

A number of disturbing videos went viral on social media yesterday. One showing members of the army forcing suspected IPOB members to grovel in a pool of mud, while another video – which was more striking – showed some men, allegedly IPOB-Biafra militia, searching buses for Hausas and Fulanis, somewhere in South East Nigeria.

Why this retaliatory move by IPOB members is so significant is because the general expectation was that, if at all the pro-Biafrans were going to retaliate, it would have been a direct attack on the army. However, in a rather surprising twist, the IPOB members appear to be taking out their revenge on Northerners, a move which, if not addressed quickly and critically, could spark bloody tribal violence.
How did an issue between the separatist group and the Nigerian Army escalate into a tribal one?

The Igbo tribe is one which has been seen as politically ostracised, at least according to the pro-Biafran group, Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB). They said, in March, stating reasons for their separatist agenda, that “onye Igbo may not be president of Nigeria again because Igbo leaders are political slaves in Nigeria. Even 2019 and 2023 will come and go, Igbo man will not be president of Nigeria.”

Therefore, an alleged attack by an Army -led by a Northerner, which the IPOB believes was sent by the Presidency – also led by a Northerner, apparently checks out to them as enough reason to retaliate against northerners. Add all these to the historical tension that has always existed between pro-Biafrans and northerners, and it is almost undeniable.

The fact that President Muhammadu Buhari has not publicly condemned either party also sends a subtle message which, if translated wrongly, could spell more catastrophe.

Former education minister, Oby Ezekwesili, tweeted on Thursday, “Let me REPEAT. Pres. Muhammadu Buhari MUST END STIGMATISING an ENTIRE ETHNIC GROUP because of a FEW that Govt can HANDLE WITH APPROPRIATE MECHANISM,” advising the president to take a stand before things spiral completely out of control.