Eastern Security Network

The Eastern Security Network (ESN) is a regional security force and a paramilitary wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a movement whose aim is to restore the independence of Biafra, which has been defunct since the 1967-1970 Nigerian Civil War.[1] The ESN´s stated goal is to combat Fulani raiders in the Biafraland region, which corresponds roughly to areas belonging to the old Eastern Region of Nigeria, mainly today´s South-South and South-East zones.

Eastern Security Network
LeaderNnamdi Kanu
AllegianceIndigenous People of Biafra
IdeologyBiafran nationalism
Battles and warsOrlu Crisis

The ESN was founded by the IPOB Leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on 12 December 2020 and commenced operations almost immediately following his proclamation of its creation in a broadcast.

History

Background

The IPOB hierarchy have long stated they have no intention of going armed, but many of the movement's followers have long disagreed with that position believing that the frequent crackdown on the group by the Nigerian Army and Police justifies them taking up arms to defend themselves. This was especially after the clampdown during the Operation Python Dance when an attack on the home of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in Afaraukwu-Ibeku resulted in dozens of the group's members dead and the disappearance of the IPOB leader himself whom many feared had been killed by the army.[2]

Formation

Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB, announced the formation of the ESN on December 12, 2020. The stated aim was to act as a regional security force to protect people against Fulani raiders. However, the Nigerian government saw the ESN as a threat to its authority, and deployed the army to locate and destroy ESN bases.[3] This escalated with the outbreak of the Orlu Crisis a month later.[4] The military confrontation lasted for seven days, until ESN declared a unilateral ceasefire and both sides withdrew from the city.[5]

Shortly after the Orlu Crisis, IPOB gave all the governors of southeast Nigeria 14 days to ban open grazing, threatening to deploy the ESN to enforce a ban if the authorities did not do so.[6] However, the ESN did not wait 14 days; a few days later, ESN operatives attacked a Fulani camp in Isuikwuato, Abia State, killing their livestock and burning down their houses.[7] Following the raid, some governors responded by heeding the ESN's call and banning open grazing.[8]

References
  1. Allison, Simon. "Mystery of the missing Biafran separatist". The M&G Online. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  2. Tension grips Nigerian city as separatist leader goes missing, Reuters, October 3, 2017. Accessed Feb 2, 2021.
  3. Nigerian Soldiers Resigned To Join Kanu’s Eastern Network – Military Sources, Sahara Reporters, Jan 22, 2021. Accessed Jan 22, 2021.
  4. Military Jet Combs Orlu Communities For ESN Operatives After Failed Land Combat, Sahara Reporters, Jan 27, 2021. Accessed Jan 28, 2021.
  5. Orlu: Nnamdi Kanu orders ESN to ceasefire against Army, watchful of Fulani herdsmen, Daily Post, Jan 28, 2021. Accessed Jan 28, 2021.
  6. IPOB gives Southeast governors 14 days ultimatum to ban open grazing, The Nation, Jan 30, 2021. Accessed Jan 30, 2021.
  7. Herdsmen Flee As IPOB’s Eastern Security Network Invades Fulani Camp In Abia, Kills Many Cows, Sahara Reporters, Jan 31, 2021. Accessed Feb 1, 2021.
  8. IPOB hails Southeast Governors’ ban on open grazing, The Nation, Feb 2, 2021. Accessed Feb 2, 2021.
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