Politicians Responsible for Cultism in South East, Not IPOB – Human Rights Lawyer, Chidi Odinkalu
Prominent human rights lawyer and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, has blamed political elites in the South East for the surge in cultism and violent criminality across the region, dismissing claims that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) are solely responsible for the insecurity.
Odinkalu made the statement while speaking at a public dialogue on security and governance in the South East, held in Enugu, where he accused political leaders of arming and sponsoring cult groups during elections, only to lose control of them afterward.
“Let’s be honest — cultism, violence, and criminality in the South East are not driven by IPOB. These are products of our political class who armed thugs and cultists for electoral gains,” Odinkalu said.
“After elections, these groups remain armed, unemployed, and angry — turning their weapons on innocent citizens.”
“Cultism Has Been Politicized”
According to Odinkalu, the crisis of insecurity in the region has been deliberately mischaracterized by those in power. He alleged that by framing every act of violence as an “IPOB-related attack,” some politicians divert attention from their own roles in perpetuating violence and corruption.
“It’s easier for politicians to blame IPOB than to take responsibility. But we all know many of these so-called unknown gunmen are local cult groups that politicians have empowered for years,” he added.
He urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community organizations to speak truth to power and push for accountability among local politicians rather than focusing solely on separatist movements.
Call for Community Action
Odinkalu further advised South East governors to invest in education, youth employment, and justice reform, warning that unemployment and marginalization continue to fuel cultism and violence.
“We cannot police our way out of this crisis. We must invest in opportunities for young people. Give them hope, not guns,” he said.
He also called on the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to reform their approach, saying indiscriminate arrests and harassment of young people only deepen alienation and resentment.
Background
The South East region has, in recent years, witnessed a rise in violent attacks, kidnappings, and cult-related killings, which are often attributed to IPOB or its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). However, investigations and civil society reports suggest that politically sponsored cult gangs and local militias are responsible for many of the incidents.
Security experts have similarly warned that political manipulation of violence could worsen the already fragile situation in the region ahead of upcoming elections.
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