The American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) has condemned the Federal Government of Nigeria for what it describes as a lack of decisive action against escalating insecurity in the northern part of the country.
The group expressed concern over the unchecked activities of herdsmen militias, bandits, and terrorist groups in the region.
In a statement signed by its leader, Chief Dr. Sylvester Onyia, AVID accused the government of turning a blind eye to the North’s deepening security crisis while disproportionately targeting the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the Southeast.
AVID, which represents Nigerian-born U.S. military veterans of Igbo heritage, also criticized recent comments by National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who linked IPOB to attacks on police stations and prison facilities. The group dismissed the allegations as “brazen lies, hate speech, and incitement”, warning that such rhetoric undermines the independence of the judiciary and constitutes an abuse of public office.
“Making public declarations of guilt against IPOB while the trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is still ongoing is a blatant interference with judicial proceedings,” the statement read.
“In any functional democracy, such conduct would be met with swift legal repercussions.”
AVID stressed the stark contrast between the government’s aggressive stance on IPOB and its passive approach to violence in northern states such as Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger, Borno, and Katsina. According to the group, these areas continue to suffer from deadly attacks, displacement, and lawlessness, with armed groups acting without consequence.
“The government’s silence on the atrocities committed by herdsmen, bandits, and terrorists in the North raises serious doubts about its commitment to justice and national security,” the group stated.
AVID also voiced concerns over the integrity of Nigeria’s intelligence agencies, citing recent testimony by a government witness implicating the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) in ongoing security lapses.
The group called for a more balanced and equitable approach to addressing insecurity nationwide.
“A government that equates dissent with terrorism and regional self-determination with rebellion only deepens national divisions and threatens the unity of the country,” AVID warned.
