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DW
12 hours ago
- Business
- DW
The real cost of Nigeria's sit-at-home protests – DW – 06/03/2025
The Indigenous People of Biafra's sit-at-home protests have paralyzed southeast Nigeria. As fear grows and losses mount, what's the path to peace? Monday mornings in Onitsha, one of West Africa's busiest commercial cities, used to be the most chaotic day of the week. But these days, they unfold in eerie silence. The familiar blare of traders haggling prices has faded — replaced by an unsettling stillness as many residents of southeastern Nigeria live in fear. The outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement — which is pushing for the independence of Nigeria's southeast — regularly calls for stay-at-home protests to demand the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu. Kanu is on trial on terrorism charges in the Nigerian capital, Abuja. While the IPOB claimed it had suspended the stay-at-home order, locals continued to comply due to the fear of armed groups known to attack those who defy the measure, using enforcement tactics like arson, looting and targeted killings. "Mondays now feel so empty," said Gift Chigo, a resident in Imo, one of the hardest-hit states in the region. "Businesses are shut down and shops locked down. And to be honest, we don't necessarily sit at home because we support the IPOB, but out of fear. It's not about solidarity, it's about [protecting] ourselves. What can we do? Nothing," she told DW. Tales of a proscribed group Formed in 2012 by two UK-based Nigerians, Nnamdi Kanu and Uche Mefor, the IPOB has been at the forefront of the renewed call for an independent state of Biafra. The familiar blare of traders haggling prices has faded — replaced by an unsettling stillness Image: Patrick Meinhardt/AFP Former Eastern region governor and military officer, Emeka Ojukwu, had declared the defunct state of Biafra in the 1960s following the killing of Igbos in northern Nigeria. However, that attempt to secede from the country ended with a bloody three-year civil war that led to the death of millions of people. The agitations still persist with groups like IPOB. In 2020, the IPOB launched its armed wing called the Eastern Security Network aimed at protecting the Igbos, but residents told DW it has instead inflicted more suffering on them. Since Kanu's arrest, the group has split into factions — some of which are more violent, exerting considerable influence and power, especially in rural communities, and targeting government facilities. Although IPOB has repeatedly dissociated itself from the region's violence, authorities have continued to accuse the group of several violent incidents in the area. The Nigerian government has labelled the group a terrorist organisation. The cost of a sit-at-home order Apart from the sit-at-home protest every Monday, the region also observes the order on days Kanu appears in court. And, it has not only upended livelihoods and disrupted the economy of the region, but it has also led to the death of more than 700 people over the past four years. A recent report by SBM intelligence, a Lagos-based think tank, shows that the protest has resulted in economic losses of over $4.79 billion (€4.20 billion) with key sectors like transportation, trade, and micro businesses taking the biggest hit. In about 332 violent incidents, the protest's epicenter has been Imo state, where 332 people were killed, followed closely by neighboring Anambra with 202 deaths. Many of the victims were civilians who defied the weekly order or became caught up in clashes between the group and Nigerian security forces. Public institutions like schools and hospitals have also been disrupted by the protest. "I go to class three times a week even though I teach mathematics which was supposed to be taught every single day. We're seriously lagging behind due to the IPOB's order," King David, a teacher in Owerri, told DW. Former London estate agent and IPOB founder Nnamdi Kanu is on trial on terrorism charges in Nigeria's capital, Abuja Image: Katrin Gänsler/DW Schools suffer, economy stalls Dengiyefa Angalapu, a research analyst at the Centre for Democracy and Development, a think tank, shared David's concern. He noted that the educational sector has borne the most profound brunt of the sit-ins in the region. "Students preparing for exams often miss critical academic days or are even forced to travel under risky conditions," said Angalapu. "Beyond that, students missing out on school every Monday means they only have four days to learn, and I think that's really a very critical gap compared to other regions in the country." While there was a high rate of compliance with the order in 2021, representing about 83%, actual support is much lower now — about 29%. Nigeria's southeast is inhabited predominantly by the Igbo ethnic group who are known for their entrepreneurial skills. The impact of the sit-ins has been substantial, and these losses are not just contained in the southeast, said Ikemesit Effiong, head of research at the Lagos-based think tank. "People from the Niger Delta and the South South region who are looking to transit through the South East to get to other parts of the country are also materially affected because their goods cannot move over land through the region." Effiong mentioned that the loss in productivity has weakened economic competitiveness and discouraged external investments. "The economic loss in terms of reduced investability climate in the region is worrisome. Many projects that would have been greenlit have actually been held back or rerouted to other parts of the country because the cost of doing business has increased in the South East," he said. What's the way out? Dengiyefa said that, beyond economic loss, deepening unemployment and poverty, what lies ahead is even more staggering. "It's quite sad that a generation of youth are being raised in the southeast in a climate of fear and ideological extremism," Dengiyefa noted. Why don't Germans know about their part in the slave trade? To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Dengiyefa added that "with the intergenerational transfer of trauma, we're at a very big risk if this continues because we've a whole generation that has been radicalised and that's a very fundamental challenge." Dengiyefa suggested that the Nigerian government should invest in countering secessionist narratives, including engaging local leaders. "We need a non-military security presence such as community policing rather than having solely the armed forces which often escalate tensions" that would eventually lead to a peaceful dialogue for any political demands. Both analysts argued that the heavy-handedness of Kanu's prosecution could be softened through government transparency and fair judicial process. "People may not approve of Nnamdi Kanu's tactics within the region, but his message still has deep resonance. Many people see his treatment as emblematic of how Nigeria has generally treated the Southeast. So, changing that paradigm and changing that perception will be critical," Effiong added. Cash for care: Boosting infant vaccination in rural Nigeria To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Edited by: Keith Walker
The Star
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Separatists' sit-at-home protests lead to 700 deaths in Nigeria's southeast, report says
FILE PHOTO: Police officers are seen conducting checks on vehicles at the Federal High court in Abuja, Nigeria October 21, 2021. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde/File Photo LAGOS (Reuters) -A sit-at-home order by banned separatist group Indigenous People of Biafra in Nigeria's southeast has led to the death of over 700 people in the region over the past four years, an intelligence consultancy said in a new report. The IPOB, campaigning for the secession of the southeast that is predominantly inhabited by the Igbo ethnic group, has been labelled a terrorist organisation by Nigerian authorities. SBM Intelligence reported that the fatalities resulted from the killing of civilians who defied the weekly stay-at-home order every Monday and on other specific days, as well as from clashes between the IPOB and Nigerian security forces. "IPOB's enforcement tactics, including arson, looting and targeted assassinations, have created a climate of fear," the SBM report said. "While there was a high rate of compliance with sit-at-home orders in 2021 (82.61%), surveys reveal that actual support is much lower (29%) now, with many complying under duress." An IPOB spokesperson denied the group was responsible for the deaths. "Those causing the killings are the kidnappers and criminals recruited by government to blackmail and demonize IPOB," the spokesperson said. The government did not respond to a request for comment. The IPOB launched the sit-at-home protest in August 2021 across the five states of Nigeria's southeast, using it as leverage to demand the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing trial in the capital Abuja on terrorism charges. The group suspended the weekly protest days later, citing a "direct order" from Kanu, who has been in custody since 2021, and reinstated it only on days the IPOB leader would be appearing in court. However, other armed groups claiming allegiance to IPOB and factions within the group have persisted in enforcing the weekly protest, launching attacks on government facilities and perceived pro-government individuals. Despite IPOB's attempts to disassociate itself from the region's violence, the police have accused the group of involvement in several incidents, including a 2021 attack on a prison and the murder of over 30 travellers earlier this month. The IPOB denied responsibility for those two attacks. The SBM report added that beyond the deaths, the sit-at-home order, which suspends economic activities in the southeast every Monday and on days when Kanu appears in court, has resulted in economic losses surpassing 7.6 trillion naira ($4.79 billion). Civil war engulfed the restive Biafra region in the late 1960s, killing more than 1 million people. ($1 = 1,598.5100 naira) (Reporting by Ben Ezeamalu; editing by Mark Heinrich)
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Separatists' sit-at-home protests lead to 700 deaths in Nigeria's southeast, report says
By Ben Ezeamalu LAGOS (Reuters) -A sit-at-home order by banned separatist group Indigenous People of Biafra in Nigeria's southeast has led to the death of over 700 people in the region over the past four years, an intelligence consultancy said in a new report. The IPOB, campaigning for the secession of the southeast that is predominantly inhabited by the Igbo ethnic group, has been labelled a terrorist organisation by Nigerian authorities. SBM Intelligence reported that the fatalities resulted from the killing of civilians who defied the weekly stay-at-home order every Monday and on other specific days, as well as from clashes between the IPOB and Nigerian security forces. "IPOB's enforcement tactics, including arson, looting and targeted assassinations, have created a climate of fear," the SBM report said. "While there was a high rate of compliance with sit-at-home orders in 2021 (82.61%), surveys reveal that actual support is much lower (29%) now, with many complying under duress." An IPOB spokesperson denied the group was responsible for the deaths. "Those causing the killings are the kidnappers and criminals recruited by government to blackmail and demonize IPOB," the spokesperson said. The government did not respond to a request for comment. The IPOB launched the sit-at-home protest in August 2021 across the five states of Nigeria's southeast, using it as leverage to demand the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing trial in the capital Abuja on terrorism charges. The group suspended the weekly protest days later, citing a "direct order" from Kanu, who has been in custody since 2021, and reinstated it only on days the IPOB leader would be appearing in court. However, other armed groups claiming allegiance to IPOB and factions within the group have persisted in enforcing the weekly protest, launching attacks on government facilities and perceived pro-government individuals. Despite IPOB's attempts to disassociate itself from the region's violence, the police have accused the group of involvement in several incidents, including a 2021 attack on a prison and the murder of over 30 travellers earlier this month. The IPOB denied responsibility for those two attacks. The SBM report added that beyond the deaths, the sit-at-home order, which suspends economic activities in the southeast every Monday and on days when Kanu appears in court, has resulted in economic losses surpassing 7.6 trillion naira ($4.79 billion). Civil war engulfed the restive Biafra region in the late 1960s, killing more than 1 million people. ($1 = 1,598.5100 naira)
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
ICC did not sanction Nigeria over detention of separatist leader
'BREAKING NEWS: International Criminal Court ICC imposes sanctions on all Nigerian goods over failure to release Nnamdi Kanu and reward him with $100 million for his illegal arrest, which they deemed a terrorist act,' reads the heading of a post shared on Facebook. It further claims that the ICC announced that the sanctions against Nigeria would increase every month until Kanu is released and, as a result, the prices of goods could increase as much as 100 percent. The post has been shared more than 170 times since it was first published on March 28, 2025, while the claim has also appeared elsewhere on Facebook (see here and here). Kanu is leading a secessionist campaign for the creation of the Biafra Republic. He was arrested in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria on June 27, 2021. He faces charges related to treason (archived here). His trial began afresh on March 21, 2025, after the former judge recused herself (archived here). However, the claim that the ICC has imposed sanctions on Nigeria and ruled for compensation in favour of Kanu is false. Countries or foreign organisations impose sanctions to punish parties that threaten their national interests or violate international laws. The types of sanctions include travel bans, arms embargoes, import and export restrictions, asset freezes and sports sanctions (archived here). Bodies like the United Nations and the European Union have imposed sanctions on countries in the past (archived here). However, the ICC cannot impose sanctions on countries since it only prosecutes individuals (archived here). The ICC operates under the Rome Statute, which allows it to prosecute four main crimes (archived here). These include genocide, war crimes, crime of aggression (when a state attacks the sovereignty of another) and crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, imprisonment, enforced disappearances, enslavement – particularly of women and children – sexual slavery, torture, apartheid and deportation. Moreover, Nnamdi Kanu's case is not listed among those currently being investigated by the ICC (archived here). 'These claims are false,' ICC spokesman Fadi El Abdallah told AFP Fact Check in an email. The ICC investigated alleged crimes committed by Boko Haram since 2009 and those allegedly committed by the Nigerian security forces after they started to repel attacks from the militant group (archived here). Boko Haram was designated as a terrorist organisation by the US government in 2014 and has spawned splinter groups – including Ansaru, which is linked to Al-Qaeda (archived here). The preliminary investigation by the ICC was concluded in December 2020 (archived here). Since then, the ICC has been holding talks with the Nigerian government on the situation (archived here). However, the court has not published a warrant of arrest for any Nigerian, whether for being a member of Boko Haram or the security forces (archived here). AFP Fact Check previously debunked a claim that the ICC issued a warrant of arrest for Nigeria's senate president.
AFP
25-04-2025
- Politics
- AFP
ICC did not sanction Nigeria over detention of separatist leader
'BREAKING NEWS: International Criminal Court ICC imposes sanctions on all Nigerian goods over failure to release Nnamdi Kanu and reward him with $100 million for his illegal arrest, which they deemed a terrorist act,' reads the heading of a post shared on Facebook. It further claims that the ICC announced that the sanctions against Nigeria would increase every month until Kanu is released and, as a result, the prices of goods could increase as much as 100 percent. Image Screenshot of the false Facebook post, taken on April 22, 2025 The post has been shared more than 170 times since it was first published on March 28, 2025, while the claim has also appeared elsewhere on Facebook (see here and here). Kanu is leading a secessionist campaign for the creation of the Biafra Republic. He was arrested in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria on June 27, 2021. He faces charges related to treason (archived here). His trial began afresh on March 21, 2025, after the former judge recused herself (archived here). However, the claim that the ICC has imposed sanctions on Nigeria and ruled for compensation in favour of Kanu is false. How sanctions work Countries or foreign organisations impose sanctions to punish parties that threaten their national interests or violate international laws. The types of sanctions include travel bans, arms embargoes, import and export restrictions, asset freezes and sports sanctions (archived here). Bodies like the United Nations and the European Union have imposed sanctions on countries in the past (archived here). However, the ICC cannot impose sanctions on countries since it only prosecutes individuals (archived here). The ICC operates under the Rome Statute, which allows it to prosecute four main crimes (archived here). These include genocide, war crimes, crime of aggression (when a state attacks the sovereignty of another) and crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, imprisonment, enforced disappearances, enslavement – particularly of women and children – sexual slavery, torture, apartheid and deportation. Moreover, Nnamdi Kanu's case is not listed among those currently being investigated by the ICC (archived here). 'These claims are false,' ICC spokesman Fadi El Abdallah told AFP Fact Check in an email. Nigeria's ICC investigation The ICC investigated alleged crimes committed by Boko Haram since 2009 and those allegedly committed by the Nigerian security forces after they started to repel attacks from the militant group (archived here). Boko Haram was designated as a terrorist organisation by the US government in 2014 and has spawned splinter groups – including Ansaru, which is linked to Al-Qaeda (archived here). The preliminary investigation by the ICC was concluded in December 2020 (archived here). Since then, the ICC has been holding talks with the Nigerian government on the situation (archived here). However, the court has not published a warrant of arrest for any Nigerian, whether for being a member of Boko Haram or the security forces (archived here). AFP Fact Check previously debunked a claim that the ICC issued a warrant of arrest for Nigeria's senate president.
