The Owerri Jail Break, The Negligence Of Security And The Treatment Of Ndiigbo In Nigeria

By Casmir Nwafor

I have waited to get facts and figures concerning the attack on
Owerri Federal Prison few days ago. I also waited to do a minor
analysis into the incident before I could make a statement about
it. What I came to figure out shows a complete failure of all the
security agencies near the vicinity of the Prison yard.

Not surprisingly as in other cases the heads of these agencies
in the state are still siting in their rolling chairs sipping
coffee and puffing cigar, pointing one accusing finger while the
rest 4 points directly at them. Their actions during the attack
puts up a conspiracy theory that they may have a lot to explain
concerning the incidence.

It is shown that the Prisons have armed guards numbering more
than 50 in number coupled with other arms support. The Headquarters
of the State Police Command and the DSS office are situated less
than 200 metres from the Prisons . The State Police Command in
question has around it as well, offices of SWAT (aka SARS) and the
anti-cult units. The government house of Imo State is a shot
distance as well from the Prisons.

Now I did this to paint a picture of the location of the Prison
that was successfully attacked for hours and yet no resistance was
given, no body was killed and zero arrest made.There was no sign of
bullets on the walls of the prison nor on the gate, neither were
there empty shells on the ground to show that guns were fired.

The above does not present a normal attack picture. This is
worsened by the fact that it was alleged that the attackers were in
numbers chanting songs as they approached their objective, a
movement in the circle of security outfits in the middle of the
night and “the security men were ALL sleeping”? Where were the
security men in these places few meters away from the Prison when
all these played out?

What I expected the FG to do is to set up an inquiry to
investigate what happened on that night. All the security agencies
within that radius will be subjected to thorough scrutiny and
questioning. Unfortunately this was not done and men who should be
held liable to provide answers are the ones pointing accusing
fingers at some directions.

I condemn in its entirety the damage and arson that took place
at Federal Prison Owerri. I also condemn the release of inmates,
some of whom are hardened criminals serving jail terms while some
were awaiting the hangman’s visit. This is capable of increasing
criminal activities in Imo State and South East in general.

All hands should be on deck to get to the root of this matter
and find out who launched these mayhem in Imo State and South East
region.

However what I find reprehensible and conspiratory is the
careless statement alluded to the sacked IGP that the mayhem was
launched by IPOB. To start with IPOB has always come out to own up
their disturbances but on this occasion they publicly denied any
involvement in what happened at Owerri Federal Prisons. Without any
investigation, the sacked IGP went to Owerri and without any
evidence or real explanation, he alleged that “IPOB” was the group
responsible for the Owerri arson. He claimed that they came with
all manners of weapon. However no gunshot sign was left of the
prison gate, walls and the vehicles burnt. There was also no
presentation of empty bullet shells that were expended at the
location. Yes it is possible that any group might have been
responsible for the arson. It is also possible that there is an
attempt from the FG to paint the SE as under attack by IPOB and
create way for their militarisation of the region. The second
probability is real because of the poor and unprofessional response
by the security agencies while the attack on Owerri Federal Prison
played out.

Al these areas should have CCTV coverages but uptil now, no
footage has been shown to prove the sacked IGP right but only mere
name-calling and pointing of accusing fingers. There has been
several attacks in the North which the security agencies have not
unravelled for years. Even the recent Nigeria. airforce fighter jet
crash is still a subject of ego between Boko Haram and NAF. Boko
Haram has claimed responsibility but our NAF says “na lie” but has
not produced a credible alternative link to what happened to the
fighter jet. Why the different yardsticks in arriving at conclusion
regarding who did what and who didn’t do what? While I condemn
violence in all its ramifications, I just advise that the FG does
not in any way plan to turn the South East into another North East,
just to have reason to disturb the peaceful life in the region.
What we expect is a thorough investigation of the incident which
shamefully and Unfortunately is not we are getting from the
security agencies.

Recently a group in the North has declared 10 April 2021 as
“Igbo Must Go” day in the North. Nigerians are yet to see any
reasonable reaction or condemnation of the careless statement from
the FG or the security agencies. We are yet to see troops and
fighter jets moved to the North to avert the pending doom and
disaster the group is allegedly cooking. Is this not a case of
biased reaction to same actions?

Let it therefore be on record that should anything happen to any
Igbo man in the North from 10 April, the Nigeria Security apparatus
will be held liable and accountable for any loss of life or
properties of NdiIgbo in the North. The Igbo man loves Nigeria and
has invested far above any region in this country outside his
region. He is a peacemaker, a peace seeker and a developer and
shouldn’t be subjected to any ill-treatment he does not
deserve.

If this country belongs to all of us, Government and her
agencies should be ready to treat all fairly and justly so that we
can have a peaceful nation devoid of rancour and enmity.

God Bless Nigeria.

By Casmir Nwafor

I have waited to get facts and figures concerning the attack on
Owerri Federal Prison few days ago. I also waited to do a minor
analysis into the incident before I could make a statement about
it. What I came to figure out shows a complete failure of all the
security agencies near the vicinity of the Prison yard.

Not surprisingly as in other cases the heads of these agencies
in the state are still siting in their rolling chairs sipping
coffee and puffing cigar, pointing one accusing finger while the
rest 4 points directly at them. Their actions during the attack
puts up a conspiracy theory that they may have a lot to explain
concerning the incidence.

It is shown that the Prisons have armed guards numbering more
than 50 in number coupled with other arms support. The Headquarters
of the State Police Command and the DSS office are situated less
than 200 metres from the Prisons . The State Police Command in
question has around it as well, offices of SWAT (aka SARS) and the
anti-cult units. The government house of Imo State is a shot
distance as well from the Prisons.

Now I did this to paint a picture of the location of the Prison
that was successfully attacked for hours and yet no resistance was
given, no body was killed and zero arrest made.There was no sign of
bullets on the walls of the prison nor on the gate, neither were
there empty shells on the ground to show that guns were fired.

The above does not present a normal attack picture. This is
worsened by the fact that it was alleged that the attackers were in
numbers chanting songs as they approached their objective, a
movement in the circle of security outfits in the middle of the
night and “the security men were ALL sleeping”? Where were the
security men in these places few meters away from the Prison when
all these played out?

What I expected the FG to do is to set up an inquiry to
investigate what happened on that night. All the security agencies
within that radius will be subjected to thorough scrutiny and
questioning. Unfortunately this was not done and men who should be
held liable to provide answers are the ones pointing accusing
fingers at some directions.

I condemn in its entirety the damage and arson that took place
at Federal Prison Owerri. I also condemn the release of inmates,
some of whom are hardened criminals serving jail terms while some
were awaiting the hangman’s visit. This is capable of increasing
criminal activities in Imo State and South East in general.

All hands should be on deck to get to the root of this matter
and find out who launched these mayhem in Imo State and South East
region.

However what I find reprehensible and conspiratory is the
careless statement alluded to the sacked IGP that the mayhem was
launched by IPOB. To start with IPOB has always come out to own up
their disturbances but on this occasion they publicly denied any
involvement in what happened at Owerri Federal Prisons. Without any
investigation, the sacked IGP went to Owerri and without any
evidence or real explanation, he alleged that “IPOB” was the group
responsible for the Owerri arson. He claimed that they came with
all manners of weapon. However no gunshot sign was left of the
prison gate, walls and the vehicles burnt. There was also no
presentation of empty bullet shells that were expended at the
location. Yes it is possible that any group might have been
responsible for the arson. It is also possible that there is an
attempt from the FG to paint the SE as under attack by IPOB and
create way for their militarisation of the region. The second
probability is real because of the poor and unprofessional response
by the security agencies while the attack on Owerri Federal Prison
played out.

Al these areas should have CCTV coverages but uptil now, no
footage has been shown to prove the sacked IGP right but only mere
name-calling and pointing of accusing fingers. There has been
several attacks in the North which the security agencies have not
unravelled for years. Even the recent Nigeria. airforce fighter jet
crash is still a subject of ego between Boko Haram and NAF. Boko
Haram has claimed responsibility but our NAF says “na lie” but has
not produced a credible alternative link to what happened to the
fighter jet. Why the different yardsticks in arriving at conclusion
regarding who did what and who didn’t do what? While I condemn
violence in all its ramifications, I just advise that the FG does
not in any way plan to turn the South East into another North East,
just to have reason to disturb the peaceful life in the region.
What we expect is a thorough investigation of the incident which
shamefully and Unfortunately is not we are getting from the
security agencies.

Recently a group in the North has declared 10 April 2021 as
“Igbo Must Go” day in the North. Nigerians are yet to see any
reasonable reaction or condemnation of the careless statement from
the FG or the security agencies. We are yet to see troops and
fighter jets moved to the North to avert the pending doom and
disaster the group is allegedly cooking. Is this not a case of
biased reaction to same actions?

Let it therefore be on record that should anything happen to any
Igbo man in the North from 10 April, the Nigeria Security apparatus
will be held liable and accountable for any loss of life or
properties of NdiIgbo in the North. The Igbo man loves Nigeria and
has invested far above any region in this country outside his
region. He is a peacemaker, a peace seeker and a developer and
shouldn’t be subjected to any ill-treatment he does not
deserve.

If this country belongs to all of us, Government and her
agencies should be ready to treat all fairly and justly so that we
can have a peaceful nation devoid of rancour and enmity.

God Bless Nigeria.