The separatist group, the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), is alleging that the thriving business in “dangerous and damaging illicit hard drugs” such as “Crystal Meth, locally known as Mkpurummiri,” is deliberately enabled by the state.
The group said its “Intelligence Unit” has uncovered production factories of these drugs in Umuaka town, Orlu Province in Imo State.
It further alleged to know the identities of “six individuals from Umuaka Community who returned from South Africa” to set up the manufacturing process.
It attributed the recent spike in “violent crimes” in Imo State to “drug dealing criminals” and “violent drug merchants,” stating that these crimes “have nothing to do with the struggle for an independent Biafran Nation.”
The group said the heinous activities were happening right under the nose of Nigeria’s security apparatus with the sole purpose “to destroy Igbo youths.” The group wondered how it is that “an over-militarized zone like Orlu, Imo State, will have about 10 factories producing and distributing crystal meth (Mkpurummiri) without the knowledge and protection from the Nigerian and Imo State Governments and their notorious Security Agencies.”
The government and security personnel in the area, they allege, “are either co-owners of these crystal meth (Mkpurummiri) factories, or they are beneficiaries of the proceeds of the drug sales and distribution businesses.”
The group further alleged that “These notorious drug dealers, who also own some hotels and nightclubs in Owerri, Imo State, operate from these hotels to distribute their illicit drugs to other states, like Lagos, Kano, Rivers State (Igweocha/Port Harcourt), the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja, and other places in Nigeria.”
It warned that by its press release, it was putting those involved on notice: “not only will we make your identities public, but we will also take every measure to ensure that your illicit drug business is terminated.”
The group’s activities for a separate sovereign state for Southeastern Nigeria appear to have waned since the capture of its leader, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, who has been facing trial at the nation’s capital since 2021 on terrorism and felony charges.
Although some courts have ordered his release, the Nigerian government has used a slew of legal obstacles to keep his trial ongoing.
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