Government, Businessmen Back Anti-IPOB Vigilantes As SE Violence Escalates

Following wanton killings and abductions of innocent residents in the South-East, some prominent businessmen in the region have begun moves to fight against hoodlums who have made life unbearable for residents and investors.

Findings by Saturday PUNCH showed that billions of naira had been raised by the groups, including those from Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State and its neighboring Ihiala council area of Anambra State.

The businessmen, it was gathered, were funding various resistance groups in the form of vigilantes to tackle the rampant killings by hoodlums terrorizing Anambra, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, and Enugu states.

Also, in rural areas across the region, our correspondents learnt that wealthy businessmen were secretly funding militias to counter the insurgency in the South-East.

In the last one week, states in the region have come under intense attack by gunmen who have unleashed mayhem in Orlu, Okigwe, Oru West, Ihiala, among other areas.

The militant wing of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, known as the Eastern Security Network, has been accused of complicity in the continuous breach of security in the region.

Imo merchants raise N800m

Saturday PUNCH gathered that the Idinma Orsu Initiative, a community-led effort to combat insecurity in Imo State, raised over N800m in its ongoing fight against criminals linked to IPOB’s ESN.

The initiative, which began in 2023, has recorded notable successes, including the acquisition of 18 operational vehicles and collaboration with security forces to restore peace in the region.

The President of the Idinma Orsu Initiative, Chief Chuddy Okapaku, said the group’s journey began with a gathering in Owerri, Imo State, where members read out a communiqué and started raising funds.

“After we did this, these ESN members started panicking, burning houses, and looting goods. They felled many trees, hijacked trailers, and used them to block roads to cut off the authorities,” he said.

He explained that the turning point came when the kidnapping crisis became unbearable.

In response, the group met with the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, who granted them an audience for about a month.

They then reportedly collaborated with officers of the Department of State Services, who deployed personnel in their local government.

"We started with one town. From there, we started fighting IPOB. We also got the military involved. We assist the military in providing AGO (diesel) and PMS (petrol). We also buy some food and service the vehicles. We have over 18 vehicles and have arranged our vigilantes,” Okapaku stated.

He noted that the group had been active for four years, with 2025 marking its fifth year of operations.

Vigilance groups in Ehime Mbano

Also, businessmen in Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State said they took it upon themselves to fund small vigilance groups to improve security in the area.

One of the vigilance groups in the area, funded by local merchants, is the Nsu Security Vigilance Group.

A community leader in the area, Chief Kelechi Anowi, told Saturday PUNCH that the vigilantes often escorted wealthy individuals to burials and other ceremonies to prevent attacks by criminals.

He noted that hiring vigilantes was cheaper than engaging the police.

The businessmen, who are among the wealthy people in the area, have continued to fund the Nsu Security Vigilance Group. They have also purchased patrol vehicles for the local security outfit. This is all targeted at countering moves by criminals.

"Some of the vigilance groups here in Ehime Mbano and other parts of Imo State escort these rich men to burials and other ceremonies just to protect them. The vigilantes are paid salaries every month. Millions of naira have been spent on vigilantes by these wealthy men since the rise of insecurity in the state and the South-East in general,” Anowi added.

South-East killing fields

The killings in the South-East have increased in the last few weeks.

On Sunday, suspected criminals invaded Amagu and two other villages in Nkalaha community, Ishielu LGA of Ebonyi State, killing no fewer than 10 residents and burning houses.

As of Wednesday, the death toll had risen to 15, with many more residents still missing.

Again, at least six church members, including a pastor of The Lord’s Chosen Church, Nkaleha, Ebonyi State, were killed by suspected hoodlums last Sunday.

Sources said the attackers also injured many worshippers during the attack.

Similarly, the lifeless body of Justice Azuka, the member representing Onitsha North 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, was found along the 2nd Niger Bridge in the early hours of Thursday.

Azuka was abducted on Christmas Eve along Ugwunaobankpa Road in Inland Town, Onitsha, while returning home for the festivities.

However, his decomposing body was later discovered by a joint team of security operatives, raising further concerns over the spate of mindless killings in the South-East.

Earlier in January, a former National Human Rights Commission Chairman, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, who hails from Orsu, Imo State, posted on X that at least 18 people were killed in coordinated attacks across several communities in his hometown.

He listed the affected areas as Umukabia, Eziawa, Ihitte Nasa, Umuhu, Amaoku, and Amaebe, adding that the victims suffered machete wounds.

The President of the Idinma Orsu Initiative, Chief Chuddy Okparaku, told Saturday PUNCH how IPOB insurgents infiltrated the community in 2020.

He expressed shock at how the police, military, and other agencies ignored the situation until the militants relocated to Orsu Itokwa, taking advantage of the area’s rugged terrain.

He said, “What baffles me is that the police, military, and other agencies did nothing until they relocated to Orsu Itokwa. This is because that community has a long valley.

“There are several valleys in my community that are as low as 1,500 kilometres below sea level. Some are 800 kilometres deep. These terrorists hide in these valleys and plan how to carry out their wicked acts.”

Okparaku lamented the severe impact of IPOB’s activities, noting how their occupation of Orsu stripped the people of their freedom and peace.

Deserted communities

In Imo State, the worst-hit local government areas include Orsu, Orlu, and Okigwe, where communities have been deserted.

Others are Ideato North, where a council chairman, Chris Ohizu, was kidnapped and later beheaded.

Njaba, Onuimo, Oru West, and Oru East council areas have had a significant presence of IPOB and ESN activities.

Punchng.