A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos state, Joe Igbokwe says the Southeast region is sinking deeper into anarchy as a result of the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Sharing his experience via his known Facebook page from his last visit to his hometown in Nnewi, Anambra State, earlier this month, Igbokwe said almost all the markets and businesses in the South East now pay IPOB & ESN hoodlums huge sums of money out of fear in order to survive their daily intimidation, abuse and extortion
He said militants of the controversial organization are now levying and collecting taxes on citizens. He also said IPOB is getting support from Igbo natives living in the Diaspora, while lamenting that the secessionist movement “have in no uncertain terms put to danger the economy of South East”.
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“From my little investigations I discovered that idle hands in the South East, men and women including owners of failed businesses are now neck deep into IPOB and ESN fraudulent activities in the South East.
“Jobless men and women outside Igboland are now relocating to SE to join the new lucrative business of blackmail, killings, extortions, intimidation etc. They have found a new job in town and it is thriving like mad.
According to Igbokwe, IPOB and ESN get a lot of financial and material support from Igbo living abroad and Igbo in Nigeria. “Those in Nigeria pay out of fear to secure their security and that of their family members.
“They have have in no uncertain terms put to danger the economy of the region. The zone known for Commerce and industry is being decimated and rendered nugatory under our very eyes. All things considered the enterprising Zone has lost trillions of Naira in the madness.
Igbokwe also accused some elites in the region of colluding with IPOB members in worsening the security lapses being experienced there.
“I have noticed that the majority of Elders in the South East are yet to come to terms with the crushing and debilitating defeat their party PDP suffered in 2015 which has triggered hate, bigotry, and subversive activities in the zone.
Now, these Elders who helped to carry Nnamdi Kanu on top of Mount Everest must find a way to bring him down without further damage.
“Elders cannot be at home and allow a she-goat to deliver while in tether. Children cannot teach the old tradition. The Holy Book says Woe betide a Nation whose king is a baby. When Elders are not at home Children may wear snakes as necklaces,” he added.