Abstract
Nigeria's socio-political landscape has been marked by widespread violent conflicts
and ethnic tensions, with the South-East region being a hotspot for separatist
agitations. This study examined separatist agitations and human security in south-east
Nigeria from 2021 to 2023. Specifically, the study aimed at ascertaining how the
activities of the IPOB separatist group has undermined personal livelihood in
Southeast Nigeria from 2021 to 2023. The study employed an ex-post facto research
design and mixed methods of data collection, relying on qualitative descriptive
analysis. Primary data were generated through unstructured interviews and personal
observations. Secondary data were collected from documentary sources. This study
adopted the human security theory as its theoretical framework. The findings indicate
that the IPOB separatist group's activities, notably their quest for the release of
Nnamdi Kanu, have adversely affected personal livelihoods in southeast Nigeria.
Moreover, persistent clashes between the Eastern Security Network and state security
forces, including the police and Nigerian Army, have contributed to a surge in
extrajudicial killings in the region. Based on these findings, this study recommends
urgent dialogue among stakeholders, including the Nigerian government, community
leaders, and IPOB representatives, to address grievances and seek peaceful
resolutions. In light of the profound mistrust between the Indigenous People of Biafra
(IPOB) and state security forces, it is imperative to empower local communities to
spearhead conflict-resolution initiatives and address underlying grievances.