As S’East violence surges, government and businessmen back Anti-IPOB vigilantes

PUNCH

Following wanton killings and abductions of innocent residents in the South-East, some prominent businessmen in the region have begun moves to fight against hoodlums who have made life unbearable for residents and investors.

Findings by Saturday PUNCH showed that billions of naira had been raised  by the groups, including those from Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State and its neighbouring Ihiala council area of Anambra State.

The businessmen, it was gathered, were funding various resistance groups in the form of vigilantes to tackle the rampant killings by hoodlums terrorising Anambra, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, and Enugu states.

Also, in rural areas across the region, our correspondents learnt that wealthy businessmen were secretly funding militias to counter the insurgency in the South-East.

In the last one week, states in the region have come under intense attack by gunmen who have unleashed mayhem in Orlu, Okigwe, Oru West, Ihiala, among other areas.