The insurgency in Southeastern Nigeria is a military conflict that broke out in the city of Orlu, Imo State, Nigeria on 16 January 2021, when the Nigerian Army moved to crush the paramilitary wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Eastern Security Network (ESN).Orlu Crisis: Imo Eastern Security Network (ESN) clash wit soldiers, Uzodinma impose curfew – Wetin we know so far , BBC, 25 January 2021. Accessed 28 January 2021. (Pidgin) The conflict escalated after the ESN managed to repulse the initial push by the Nigerian Army, but IPOB ended the initial crisis by unilaterally withdrawing the ESN from Orlu. After a few weeks of quiet, Nigeria launched a military offensive in the area to destroy the ESN. On 19 February 2021, IPOB declared that as of the day before, a state of war existed between Nigeria and Biafra. Three weeks later, another separatist group declared the formation of a Biafran interim government which was subsequently endorsed by IPOB. Since then, the Biafran separatists have begun to form alliances with other separatist groups in Nigeria and Cameroon. Despite these developments, the separatists claimed that their militant operations were mainly aimed at defending local communities from armed herders and bandits instead of fighting the Nigerian government. In late June, IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu was arrested by Interpol and handed over to Nigerian authorities.

Background

In 1967, separatists in Nigeria's southeast declared the formation of the independent state of Biafra. The subsequent Nigerian Civil War lasted two and a half years, led to over a million dead, and ended with the defeat of Biafra. Over the following decades, Nigeria continued to suffer from regional instability and revolts, but Biafra separatism was mostly dormant until the 2000s. Some Niger Delta communities such as the Ijaw people even integrated anti-Biafran sentiment into their own popular narratives, as they had mostly sided with the central government during the Nigerian Civil War.

From the 1990s, a growing number of people in southeastern Nigeria such as Igbo and Niger Delta natives felt marginalized by the Nigerian central government. This resulted in the violent conflict in the Niger Delta, and previously anti-Biafran communities such as Ijaw began to reevaluate their commitment to Nigeria. Coupled with disaffection among the youth due to high unemployment, this contributed to a resurgence of Biafran nationalism in the entire southeast. While most of the local political leadership distanced themselves from separatism, radical Biafran nationalists organized in the secessionist group IPOB. Other hardline Biafran groups included the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB),Biafra: Uwazuruike, MASSOB back Asari-Dokubo , The Nation, 18 March 2021. Accessed 20 March 2021. the Biafra Nations League (BNL; initially known as Biafra Nations Youth League / BNYL), and the Biafran National Guard (BNG). The latter already declared war on the Nigerian Army in 2017.

At the same time, Nigerians became disaffected as the central government failed to suppress the destructive Boko Haram insurgency as well as banditry in the north, while the Nigerian security forces faced accusations of corruption, ineffectiveness, and abuse. Journalists Cai Nebe and Muhammad Bello argued that "swathes of Nigeria remain near-ungovernable" as of Muhammadu Buhari's second presidency. Tensions in the southeast continued to rise after the local economy, heavily dependent on exporting oil, suffered under worldwide low oil prices. By 2020, IPOB had managed to rally substantial following to its cause, although polls showcased that Biafran separatism was not widely supported in the southeast. Non-IPOB groups also began to support separatism such as the Niger Delta People's Salvation Force led by "warlord" Asari-Dokubo. However, there were tensions within the Biafran separatist movement, with Kanu having been accused of intolerance toward non-Jews. The IPOB leader self-identifies as Jew and claims that Judaism is the Igbo's traditional religion.

In August 2020, Nigerian police forces went to an IPOB meeting in Enugu and executed 21 unarmed IPOB members with two police officers dead. Both sides accused the other of firing the first shot.Nigeria: New clashes after security forces break up meeting of Biafran separatists , France24, 26 August 2020. Accessed 30 August 2020. Following the incident, IPOB pledged to retaliate and called on its members to start practicing self-defense.No meeting in Enugu for now, we will retaliate — IPOB , Vanguard, 24 August 2020. Accessed 27 August 2020. In late-September, at least two Nigerian soldiers were killed during clashes with unidentified gunmen in Enugu; however, IPOB denied any involvement, announcing that "we are not armed and have no plans to pick up arms."Nigeria: IPOB Denies Responsibility for Attacks On Security Agents in Southeast , AllAfrica, 27 September 2020. Accessed 28 September 2020.

On 12 December 2020, Kanu announced the formation of the ESN to protect Igbos against Fulani raiders. Unwilling to countenance the formation of a non-state-sanctioned paramilitary organization on its territory, the Nigerian government deployed the army to locate ESN camps two weeks later.Nigerian Soldiers Resigned To Join Kanu's Eastern Network – Military Sources , Sahara Reporters, 22 January 2021. Accessed 22 January 2021.

The Orlu Crisis (16–28 January 2021)

On 16 January, Nigerian police attacked the ESN in their camp. However, the attack was repulsed by the militia. On 22 January 2021, Nigerian soldiers invaded Orlu to search for ESN operatives. Eight buildings were burnt and one person was killed in the ensuing events.Eastern Security Network: Over 8 buildings including church allegedly burnt, one feared dead in Imo , Vanguard, 25 January 2021. Accessed 25 January 2021. Security forces re-invaded the area three days later, clashing with the ESN and killing at least five peopleSoldiers Invade IPOB Eastern Security Network's Operational Base, Kill Five, Burn Church, Others , SaharaReporters, 25 January 2021. Accessed 25 January 2021. before being repulsed by the ESN. Four Nigerian soldiers were killed in the fighting.Orlu killing: Imo State Eastern Security Network (ESN) crisis kill four soldiers – Police, Nnamdi Kanu react , BBC, 26 January 2021. Accessed 26 January 2021. The Nigerian Army withdrew, and in the following days, Nigerian Air Force planes and helicopters were deployed to search for ESN operatives in and around Orlu.Military Jet Combs Orlu Communities For ESN Operatives After Failed Land Combat , Sahara Reporters, 27 January 2021. Accessed 28 January 2021.

On 28 January, more than 400 Nigerian soldiers were deployed to oust the ESNTension heightens in Orlu as Nigerian govt deploys over 400 soldiers , Daily Post, 28 January 2021. Accessed 28 January 2021. and the authorities declared a curfew which was brutally enforced. The curfew and the anticipation of imminent heavy fighting caused civilians to flee the city en masse.Orlu on standstill as residents desert town , The Nation, 28 January 2021. Accessed 28 January 2021. Later on the same day, Nnamdi Kanu declared a unilateral ceasefire and ordered the ESN withdraw from OrluImo Clash: Nnamdi Kanu Orders ESN Operatives To Cease Fire, Return To Forests , Sahara Reporters, 28 January 2021. Accessed 28 January 2021. to focus on Fulani raiders instead. Kanu claimed that this decision was based on intelligence information that revealed that the army and the police had agreed to withdraw from Orlu also.Orlu: Nnamdi Kanu orders ESN to ceasefire against Army, watchful of Fulani herdsmen , Daily Post, 28 January 2021. Accessed 28 January 2021.

Interlude

During the fighting, police officers of the Imo State Police were caught on video flogging civilians, possibly as punishment for curfew violations. After the ceasefire, at least ten police officers were arrested, and Commissioner of Police Nasiru Mohammed condemned their behavior.

Days after the Orlu Crisis, IPOB gave all the governors of southeast Nigeria 14 days to ban open grazing, threatening to deploy the ESN to enforce a ban if the authorities did not do so.IPOB gives Southeast governors 14 days ultimatum to ban open grazing , The Nation, 30 January 2021. Accessed 30 January 2021. However, the ESN did not wait 14 days; a few days later, ESN operatives attacked a Fulani camp in Isuikwuato, Abia State, killing their livestock and burning down their houses.Herdsmen Flee As IPOB's Eastern Security Network Invades Fulani Camp In Abia, Kills Many Cows , Sahara Reporters, 31 January 2021. Accessed 1 February 2021. Following the raid, some governors responded by heeding the ESN's call and banning open grazing.IPOB hails Southeast Governors’ ban on open grazing , The Nation, 2 February 2021. Accessed 2 February 2021.

Renewed fighting and declaration of war (18 February 2021–present)

At some point in mid-February, the Nigerian Army 34 Artillery Brigade launched an operation to find ESN camps around Orlu and Orsu. The Nigerian Army also reinforced Orlu, deploying military helicopters to the city.ESN: Army deploys soldiers, helicopters in Orlu , Punch, 18 February 2021. Accessed 18 February 2021. Hostilities were renewed on 18 February, when the Nigerian Army and the ESN fought a gun battle in the forest outside OrluOrlu : soldiers, ESN members in gun battle , Vanguard, 18 February 2021. Accessed 18 February 2021. while the Nigerian Air Force conducted air strikes in the area.Tension As Nigerian Military Conducts Air Strikes In Orlu In Search Of ESN , Sahara Reporters, 18 February 2021. Accessed 18 February 2021. A day into the fighting, the confrontation had spread to Ihiala, Anambra State.Heavy gunfire in Anambra, Imo communities as military engages IPOB's ESN , The Sun, 19 February 2021. Accessed Sun 19, 2021. Nigerian forces captured an ESN base in the village of Udah outside Orsu on 21 February.Joint Security Team Sacks IPOB Security Network From Imo Forest , Sahara Reporters, 22 February 2021. Accessed 22 February 2021. The Nigerian Army 82 division also arrested 20 suspected IPOB members and confiscated their weapons.Breaking: Troops arrest 20 IPOB members, recover arms, hand them to Police , Vanguard, 22 February 2021. Accessed 22 February 2021.

The same day as hostilities were renewed, IPOB said that the military deployment constituted a "declaration of war against the Igbos" and accused the Nigerian government of planning a "final solution to the Biafran question". The group declared that Nigeria had "crossed the line of no return" and that Igbos now had no choice but defend themselves.Flying military helicopter over Imo community ‘declaration of war’ – IPOB , Premium Times Nigeria, 18 February 2021. Accessed 18 February 2021. The next day, IPOB declared that the "second Nigeria/Biafra war" had begun on 18 February, and that unlike in the 1967–1970 Nigerian Civil War, Biafra would win.Second Nigeria/Biafra War Has Just Started But We Will Defend Our Land — IPOB , Sahara Reports, 19 February 2021. Accessed 20 February 2021.

Spillover and escalation