The Nigerian Army has hailed a marked decline in criminal activities across the South-East, pointing to intensified military operations and the recent convictions of separatist leaders Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Simon Ekpa as key factors in restoring stability to the region.
Major General Michael Onoja, in a recent statement, emphasized that the imprisonment of these figures has disrupted the coordination of attacks by pro-Biafra groups, leading to fewer incidents of violence over the past year. This development comes amid ongoing efforts to address long-standing security challenges in states like Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo, where separatist agitation has historically fueled unrest.
To understand the significance of these claims, it is essential to revisit the roots of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the organization at the center of the controversy. Founded in 2012 by Nnamdi Kanu, a British-Nigerian activist, IPOB advocates for the independence of Nigeria’s South-East, drawing on the memory of the 1967–1970 Biafran War that claimed over a million lives. The group gained prominence through Radio Biafra, Kanu’s broadcast platform, which promoted self-determination for the Igbo people. However, Nigerian authorities banned IPOB in 2017, labeling it a terrorist organization due to alleged involvement in violent acts, including attacks on security forces.
Kanu was arrested in Kenya in June 2021 and extradited to Nigeria, where he faced charges of terrorism and treasonable felony. His trial culminated in a life sentence in 2025, following years of legal battles and public protests. Simon Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian who emerged as a vocal proponent of Biafran independence, positioned himself as a successor figure after Kanu’s arrest. Operating from Finland, Ekpa led a faction that enforced “sit-at-home” orders, weekly shutdowns intended to protest Kanu’s detention but often resulting in economic disruption and violence. Finnish authorities convicted Ekpa on terrorism charges in 2025, sentencing him to six years in prison for inciting violence through online broadcasts. This came roughly two months before Kanu’s life sentence, dealing a double blow to the movement’s leadership.
According to the Nigerian Army, these judicial outcomes have directly contributed to enhanced security in South-East Nigeria. Onoja stated that crimes and other criminal activities have significantly decreased following troops’ intensified operations across the region, alongside the court rulings against Kanu and Ekpa. He further noted that the group’s operational capacity has been substantially degraded, as extremists previously targeted lightly manned checkpoints, killing personnel and seizing weapons for further attacks.
Supporting data from official surveys reinforces this claim. A report by the National Bureau of Statistics covering May 2023 to April 2024 recorded the South-East as having the lowest crime incidents among Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, with about 6.2 million cases, far below figures recorded in other regions. This marked a decline from previous years, positioning the South-East as the safest zone in terms of overall crime rates. While comprehensive 2025 figures are still emerging, early indicators suggest continued improvement, including fewer reported kidnappings and armed robberies. Anambra State, often cited as a hotspot for separatist-related violence, ranked among the least affected states in the region during 2024.
Beyond immediate safety, these improvements carry broader implications. The South-East, home to over 20 million people, has long faced economic setbacks due to insecurity, with businesses forced to close during sit-at-home orders and investors wary of instability. Reduced violence could encourage renewed investment, infrastructure development, and commercial activity. However, experts caution that lasting peace will require addressing deeper grievances, including perceptions of political and economic marginalization, through sustained dialogue and inclusive governance.
The military has vowed to sustain its operations to prevent any resurgence of criminal elements. As Onoja affirmed, the goal is to consolidate recent gains, protect lives and property, and stop criminal groups from regrouping in the South-East.
