Igbo Youths' Mistrust of Army Explained by Kanu's Lawyer

Aloi Ejimakor, the special counsel for Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), revealed that Igbo youths are unwilling to enlist in the Nigerian Army due to a profound mistrust of the country's security institutions. Ejimakor argued that this reluctance should not be interpreted as a lack of courage or patriotism but rather as a response to long-standing grievances regarding perceived unfair treatment within Nigeria's security architecture.

He noted that the youth in the Southeast believe that the armed forces do not treat their region fairly, citing historical military actions against the Igbo community, including the trauma from the 1967 army massacres. Ejimakor emphasized that the repeated use of military force against the Igbo has contributed to a growing distrust, leading to a refusal to serve in an institution seen as biased.

This sentiment is compounded by concerns over the military's association with groups like Boko Haram, which further alienates the youth from the Nigerian Army.