Restraining the Arewa and IPOB youth Wings

Despite my pro BIAFRAN sympathies, I can concede that for months prior to his arrest and through his Biafra Radio, Nnamdi Kanu has made many incendiary, hurtful, tribalistic and insensitive statements remarks. He also abused president Buhari and "Awusa Fulani" in a highly inflammable manner in his quest to create an indigenous republic for Igbo people.

Every action elicits an equal and sometimes overreaction and no proud group of people will stand by and not react to passive aggressive actions and accusations without comment or an equally loaded response. So, it comes as no surprise that various groups under the Arewa flag issued the "Kaduna Declaration" and appear not to be backing down despite calls for their arrests and for restraint. 

The only difference is that IPOB and other BIAFRAN agitators are pursuing their mission non-violently, (and perhaps violently if they could) and passive aggressively while the Kaduna declarants not only issued an evacuation order but threatened or hinted at violence after a predetermined deadline. 

The agitation for Biafra may never be actualized or it will take many years before it comes to fruition and IPOB and others are prepared to go down the path exhausting all legal and semi legal angles because they have no other option, but everyone know that when Arewa issues a statement they do not joke and it will most likely be implemented by a few independent nationalists before the mob joins in. 

It is based on that certainty of the Arewa militia being prepared to shed blood at a moment’s notice that is informing El Rufai and Arewa governors to make various declarations and overtures and to call for the arrests of "Declarants", it is no idle threat and they are very well aware their constituents can carry out the threat with or without them and render them ineffective and powerless. 

All combatants need to acknowledge that Nnamdi Kanu has also insulted Ohanaeze and other Igbo elite but appears to be mending fences and deferential to these elders paying them courtesy calls and engaging in photo ops no doubt in appreciation for them rallying to put together the patchwork of assurances to meet his bail conditions. Due to his bail conditions he is yet to broadcast a new sermon so it remains to be seen whether he will temper his abuses with more restraint. 

On the other hand, as well, the elders on both sides of the divide both in the north and south who experienced the war are extremely hesitant and desirous of not seeing another war in their lifetime, war is terrible and futile the all tell you. 

Back in 1966 many historians are of the opinion that the civil war could have been avoided if both Gowon at 31 and Ojukwu 36 were less youthful which accounts for their seemingly obstinacy and immature actions that did not hold back the horses of war. 

Questioning or trying to denigrate the positions of all combatants in this March towards anarchy is a futile exercise, it is also useless exercise trying to cast aspersions on the end goals of each group, truly a waste of time as both have deep intellectual foundations. 

What is clear however is that cooler heads from across Nigeria need to scramble into action and engage each other to douse the fury of the youth born after 1970 so they don't initiate moves that will lead to unnecessary bloodshed and social upheaval while finding a way to get everyone what they want. 

It is a conversation and an engagement that while avoided is entirely necessary but by no means an easy task. 

History will judge all elders and the actions the took at restraining the acceleration towards bloodshed.

Time will tell if they are successful.