NDIGBO MUST THINK HOME, PREPARE HOME, AND PROTECT HOME Says Ejiofor

By Chukwudi Ebele

Human Rights Lawyer and Social Critic Sir Ifeanyichukwu Ejiofor Esq has urged Ndi Igbo especially in the South East to heed the signs of danger and think on how best to protect themselves against alleged jihadists and extremists agenda.

In his recent article titled ‘NDIGBO, THE TIME TO THINK HOME IS NOW: HISTORY NEVER FORGIVES A PEOPLE WHO IGNORE THE SIGNS OF DANGER.
THE STORM IS NO LONGER COMING: NDIGBO MUST THINK HOME, PREPARE HOME, AND PROTECT HOME’ Ejiofor warns that the time for vigilance, preparedness, unity of purpose, and constructive action is now.

“The relentless invasion of communities by jihadist terrorists and armed bandits did not occur without prior warnings. For years, discerning observers and individuals, particularly those familiar with the trajectory of this dangerous agenda, consistently sounded the alarm regarding the looming security catastrophe that now confronts our nation. Sadly, many of those warnings have proved frighteningly accurate.

“Today, virtually every region of Nigeria is precariously seated upon a keg of gunpowder, while many of those entrusted with the responsibility of governance appear either unwilling or unable to confront the enormity of the threat. Rather than devising proactive and sustainable security strategies, a significant proportion of our political elite seem engrossed in calculations and permutations relating to the 2027 electoral cycle, oblivious to the gathering storm threatening the very foundations of our national existence.

“It is no longer news that the heinous activities of these jihadist terrorists and criminal bandits, regardless of whatever convenient nomenclature they are described by, have assumed alarming proportions. The menace has become increasingly cancerous and appears to have defied easy security solutions due to the sophistication, coordination, and apparent compromises that often frustrate efforts to contain it. Consequently, the threat is gradually permeating every nook and cranny of the country.

“The objective of every expansionist violent movement in history has always been conquest, domination, and territorial control. Whether one agrees entirely with such characterizations or not, no reasonable person can deny that heavily armed criminal elements have succeeded in creating vast zones of fear and insecurity across Nigeria. This alarming reality must not be ignored. Any ideology or criminal enterprise that lacks compassion, humanity, and respect for life must be firmly resisted in all lawful ways.

“We must therefore begin to equip and prepare our people for the security challenges ahead before they overwhelm us. It is perhaps for this reason that traditional institutions across various parts of the country are increasingly seeking ways to contribute to community security and social stability. Reports indicate that the Oba of Benin recently convened traditional custodians and native doctors to discuss their roles in contemporary society and possible contributions toward addressing the growing insecurity in Edo State, where criminal elements have reportedly established significant footholds within forest regions. Ndigbo must likewise encourage all legitimate institutions, traditional structures, community organizations, and lawful platforms capable of contributing to the protection of our people and homeland.

“The stark reality is that heavily armed terrorist elements and criminal bandits have established operational footholds in forests and ungoverned spaces across the country. From these sanctuaries, they continue to perpetrate unspeakable atrocities against innocent citizens, particularly vulnerable women, children, farmers, and rural dwellers. Kidnappings, murders, rapes, destruction of farmlands, and violent displacements have become recurring features of daily life in many parts of the federation.

“Only a person wilfully blind to reality would fail to acknowledge that Nigeria is presently grappling with a systematic and deeply entrenched security crisis. More troubling is the widespread perception that some of these criminal elements enjoy varying degrees of protection, tolerance, or even covert support from influential actors within the corridors of power. Such perceptions, whether real or imagined, further undermine public confidence in the capacity of the state to guarantee the security and welfare of its citizens.

“As matters presently stand, Nigeria appears deceptively engaged in a war against itself. While political divisions, ethnic rivalries, and manufactured controversies dominate public discourse, the real enemies of peace and national stability continue their devastating assault upon communities with alarming audacity and frequency.

“We continue daily to count our losses. Families are shattered. Communities live in perpetual fear. Farmers can no longer access their ancestral lands with confidence. The threats confronting our homes, livelihoods, and future generations remain unabated.

“History offers painful lessons. The Igbo people understand better than most the consequences of ignoring clear warning signs. From the pogroms of the 1960s to the devastating experiences of the Nigerian Civil War, our history teaches that preparedness, unity, self-preservation, and strategic foresight are not luxuries but necessities for survival. A people who fail to learn from history invariably risk becoming victims of it.

“It is therefore imperative for Ndigbo, and indeed all threatened communities, to begin thinking strategically and pragmatically about collective security. We must harness all available lawful resources, strengthen community vigilance structures, support legitimate security initiatives, and build resilient mechanisms capable of protecting our people and preserving our ancestral heritage. No people can afford to outsource entirely the responsibility for their survival when existential threats stare them in the face.

“History teaches that communities that fail to prepare for foreseeable dangers often pay a terrible price for their complacency. The time for denial has passed. The time for vigilance, preparedness, unity of purpose, and constructive action is now.

“May wisdom guide our leaders, courage inspire our people, and may God preserve our land and our future,” said Ejiofor.