Socio-Cultural Organisation And Insecurity In Southeast Nigeria: Challenges From Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB)

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

The southeast has witness escalating threat of violence in recent times by a socio- cultural organization known as IPOB. This has resulted in security threat in the region. Consequently, there has been fighting between the group and government forces. The region is mainly occuppied by the Igbos (Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Abia). The increasing violence is as a result of the demand of the group for the independent republic of Biafra. The agitation started in 1970 and in 1999 MASSOB-Movement for the Actualisation of the sovereign state of Biafra was formed. However, the group was banned in 1999. In 2014 another group was formed the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) with its leader Nnamdi Kanu seeking for a referendum for the realization of the sovereign state of Biafra. The Nigerian forces responded between August2015 and August2016, killing about least 150 Biafra agitators and in September2017, arrested over 100 IPOB members in Abia State. The process led to the killing of 15 people while the home of the IPOB leader was invaded. As a result, the organization was declared a terrorist organization. The formation of socio-cultural organization is conceived on the basis of two perspectives; one is the creation of Institutionalized Thought Structure and secondly the formation of organizations. This basis stipulates the organization areas of interest, outlines the requirements of the organization, and restricts the organization and development operations. Therefore, government policies and laws significantly determine and influences the formation of the sociocultural development its Institutionalized Thought and Organization Structures. It is believed that a joint effort involving the government, civil society, business as well as interventions in the political, economic and security sector is required to respond effectively to the governance and security challenges confronting southeast Nigeria. The study seeks to investigate sociocultural organization and insecurity in south east Nigeria a case study of the challenges of the indigenous people of Biafra.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The level of agitation and violence in the southeast by sociocultural organization as the indigenous people of Biafra constitutes serious security and public safety concerns in Nigeria. These agitations and demands violets the constitutional provision of the state. Consequently, government forces have responded to this threat leading to killings and arrest of IPOB members as well as the ban of the group. The formation and operation of sociocultural organization should be guided by the laws of the state so as to ensure peace, stability and progress. The problem confronting the study is to investigate sociocultural organization and insecurity in south east Nigeria a case study of the challenges of the indigenous people of Biafra.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of the study is to investigate sociocultural organization and insecurity in south east Nigeria a case study of the challenges of the indigenous people of Biafra.

The specific objectives of the study include;

To determine the nature and functions of sociocultural organization.

To appraise insecurity in south east Nigeria.

To determine the challenges of the indigenous people of Biafra.

 

1.4 Research Questions

What is the nature and functions of sociocultural organization?

What is the state of insecurity in south east Nigeria?

What are the challenges of the indigenous people of Biafra?

 

1.5 Significance of the Study

The study shall proffer relevant information on sociocultural organization and insecurity in south east Nigeria and the challenges posed by the indigenous people of Biafra.

It shall serve useful purpose to policy makers in government.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study focuses on the appraisal of sociocultural organization and insecurity in south east Nigeria and the challenges posed by the indigenous people of Biafra.

1.7 Limitation of the Study

The research was confronted with limited logistics and geographical constraints.

1.8 Definition of Terms

IPOB Defined

Indigenous People of Biafra

MASSOB Defined

Movement for the Actualisation of the sovereign state of Biafra

1.9 Organizations of the Study

The chapter one consist of the introductory part of the study which includes the study background, the statement of the research problem, the study objective and scope of the study. The second chapter is a critical review of other literatures relevant to the study and its objectives including the theoretical framework for the study. While the third chapter is methods of data collection, sampling and data analysis used in conducting the study. The fourth chapter centres around the research findings including an analysis of how it relates to previous findings. The fifth chapter consists of the summary of findings, conclusion and recommendations base on the study objectives.