By Fatima Saka
Enugu, Nigeria – The leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), under the supreme command of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has issued a stern warning to individuals and groups perpetrating violence, extortion, and disorder in the name of Biafra agitation. IPOB declared that it will no longer tolerate criminal activities disguised as part of the self-determination movement.
In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday by the group’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB distanced itself from the recent wave of insecurity in the South-East and parts of the South-South, including kidnappings, targeted killings, and extortion of civilians and traders.
“In recent weeks, we have observed with grave concern a disturbing escalation of insecurity in parts of the South-East and South-South, including kidnappings in Enugu and Imo States, gruesome killings in Abia and Anambra, and indiscriminate extortion in Ebonyi. These heinous acts are antithetical to the ideals and philosophy of IPOB,” the statement read.
IPOB emphasized that its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has never sanctioned any violent or criminal actions and remains committed to a peaceful, lawful, and diplomatic path toward Biafra restoration.
“Our leader has consistently called for calm, strategic focus, and restraint. IPOB is not, and has never been, a violent organization. Our strategy is based on legal instruments, diplomatic engagement, referenda, and mass mobilization — not violence, bloodshed, or coercion.”
Emma Powerful made it clear that anyone involved in sit-at-home enforcement, abductions, assassinations, or any form of intimidation without IPOB’s explicit approval is not part of the group.
“Those enforcing unauthorized sit-at-home orders, kidnapping civilians, killing security personnel, or extorting traders in the name of Biafra are criminals — not patriots. They are enemies of our people and enemies of the Biafra restoration movement,” he stated.
IPOB also accused some state actors of using covert operations to incite violence and discredit the movement, warning members and supporters not to fall into such traps.
“We are aware of black operations by government agents aimed at implicating IPOB through staged attacks. These tactics are designed to justify the illegal detention of our leader and tarnish our name. But we remain focused, peaceful, and grounded in truth.”
The statement reaffirmed IPOB’s commitment to its core values of discipline, transparency, and non-violence.
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“We do not kill. We do not kidnap. We do not burn our communities. We do not terrorize our people. Any act of violence from this point forward will be treated as a betrayal of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and sabotage of the Biafra cause,” it concluded.
The group called on all IPOB family members, sympathizers, and well-meaning Biafrans to remain law-abiding and steadfast, urging them not to allow the struggle to be hijacked by criminal or state-sponsored elements.
