Secessionist Agitations and Human Security: The Quest for the Agitations of IPOB in Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

Human security is a vital aspect of a state’s existence and it's  performance in both local and  international system. However, in Nigeria, the state of human security has been intercepted by many obstacles. The Indigenous  People of Biafra (IPOB) secessionist movement is a major interception. The arrest of the group’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in 2015 triggered a rise in the three-year movement and ultimately a fall in human security in the country. This study investigates the relationship between the IPOB secessionist agitation and human security as well as the implications that the agitations have on human security in Nigeria. The study adopts the relative deprivation theory as the theoretical framework to analyse the underlying causes of secessionist movements. Utilizing a secondary method of data collection, the research relies on an extensive literature review and analysis of relevant sources, including books, journals, and online articles. The findings of this study reveal that IPOB agitations have repercussions on human security in the country. The study therefore recommends facilitating open and constructive dialogue between the Nigerian government and representatives of IPOB to address the root causes of secessionist agitations.   Received: 12 March 2024 / Accepted: 20 May 2024 / Published: 02 July 2024