The Igbo Women Assembly has urged the Federal Government to demilitarize the South-East region and release Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra without conditions.
The call was made during the inauguration of the Umuahia chapter of the IWA on Tuesday, where its President, Lolo Chimezie, expressed concerns over the heavy military presence on the region’s roads.
Chimezie condemned the military’s actions, stating that their presence was counterproductive and detrimental to the region’s stability.
She accused the soldiers of harassing young people and worsening insecurity in the area.
“We are calling on the Federal Government to withdraw the military from South-East roads. Their presence causes more harm than good, creating hardship for our people. Instead of checkpoints that disrupt daily life, patrols would be more effective in addressing security concerns,” Chimezie suggested.
She also pointed out the negative consequences of militarization, highlighting incidents where villages have been attacked by soldiers in retaliation for ambushes on military personnel.
The IWA president emphasized that the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu was fueling criminal activities, with those claiming to be Biafra agitators exploiting the situation to commit crimes in the region.
“The Federal Government must release Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally if it is sincere about restoring peace in the South-East. His release will delegitimise those exploiting his detention for criminal activities,” Chimezie remarked.
In addition, Chimezie advocated for the revival of local vigilante groups to tackle insecurity more effectively, urging South-East governors to collaborate on this initiative.
She also criticized the Federal Government for allegedly appointing individuals of questionable character to oversee the region’s security, a move she said undermines trust in the nation’s security efforts.
Addressing leadership concerns within the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the IWA called for the presidency of the group to follow a rotational system.
Chimezie stated, “This is the turn of Rivers State to produce the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Attempts to sneak in candidates from Imo State under the guise of being Rivers indigenes will lead to unnecessary disputes. Ohanaeze must act transparently to restore confidence among the Igbo people.”
