Joe Igbokwe: “Igbos Responsible for South-East Killings, Not Herdsmen”
By Erewunmi Peace
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Special Adviser to the Lagos State Government, Joe Igbokwe, has stirred controversy following a public statement in which he claimed that the ongoing insecurity and killings in the South-East are being perpetrated by Igbos themselves, not Fulani herdsmen.
Igbokwe made the comments in a Facebook post on Wednesday, July 31, 2025, where he accused some South-East residents of destroying their own land while blaming external ethnic groups.
“It is Igbo killing Igbo. It is Igbo destroying Igboland and putting the blame on Hausa/Fulani Herdsmen. This is not our culture. This is sad,” Igbokwe wrote.
The APC stalwart also alleged that certain political leaders in the region have, since 2015, sponsored armed groups to gain political leverage and intimidate rivals. He warned that these actions have contributed to a breakdown of security in the region, which is now being blamed on outsiders.
The South-East has seen a sharp increase in violent attacks, kidnappings, and arson in recent years. While some of these incidents have been attributed to unknown gunmen and separatist groups like the Eastern Security Network (ESN), other reports have pointed to clashes involving herdsmen and community members.
Igbokwe’s comments contradict the popular belief among many Igbos who hold Fulani herdsmen and external actors responsible for the region’s instability. His remarks have sparked strong reactions on social media, with some praising him for “speaking hard truths” and others accusing him of betrayal.
No Official Confirmation:
As of press time, no security agency or independent investigative body has confirmed that the killings in the South-East are primarily carried out by Igbo actors. Many observers caution against blanket statements that may inflame ethnic tensions.
Public Reaction:
Reactions have been swift online, with the hashtag #JoeIgbokwe trending. Some users defended his claims as “painful but honest,” while others labeled his post as divisive and lacking evidence.
A political analyst, Chidi Nwosu, told Insight Nigeria:
“Joe Igbokwe’s comment raises serious concerns. While internal violence should be addressed, sweeping statements without evidence can fuel ethnic mistrust.”
