Addressing the Separatist Movement in Eastern Nigeria: Intelligence-Driven Approaches to Mitigating Civil Unrest and Promoting National Unity

¹Dennis Edet Okpong and ²Godswill Owoche Antai

¹Lieutenant and Legal Officer with the Nigerian Navy

²Lecturer and Head of Department, Post-Graduate and Diploma, Kampala International University, Kampala, Uganda.

Email: okpong03@gmail.com; godswill.antai@kiu.ac.ug

Phone: +256 (0) 741217856  

ABSTRACT

The separatist movement in Eastern Nigeria advocating for the creation of the state of Biafra, remains one of the serious challenges to national stability, unity, and security within the region and Nigeria. The movements have sparked off civil unrest, violent clashes, and socio-political tensions, thus intensifying the set of accrued and unattended grievances in the region and aspersions on the sovereignty of Nigeria. The research explores intelligence-driven strategies as a veritable way of stemming the increasing civil unrest and fostering national unity. This study makes use of a doctrinal research approach in looking at intelligence gathering, analysis, and operational tactics as it pertains to the combatted separatist activity in seeking methods through which these tools might better control a conflict and prevent violence while setting up a dialogue process between the government and the separatist factions. The research also examines how local perspectives can be factored into socio-economic factors within the intelligence framework for lasting peace. It draws on case studies of successful intelligence-based interventions both within and outside Africa, drawing important lessons for Nigeria’s current efforts to confront secessionist challenges. This research proposes a strategic and non-military approach where security imperatives will be balanced with inclusive national policies for consolidating unity in Nigeria and promoting long-term peace in Eastern Nigeria.

Keywords: Separatist movement, Biafra, Sovereignty, Eastern Nigeria

CITE AS: Dennis Edet Okpong and Godswill Owoche Antai (2024). Addressing the Separatist Movement in Eastern Nigeria: Intelligence-Driven Approaches to Mitigating Civil Unrest and Promoting National Unity. NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CURRENT ISSUES IN ARTS AND MANAGEMENT,5(2):9-17. https://doi.org/10.59298/NIJCIAM/2024/5.2.91700