IPOB suspends Nnamdi Kanu’s leadership positions indefinitely

The Directorate of State (DOS) of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has pronounced indefinitely suspension of the Office of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra and the position of Director of Radio Biafra, both previously held by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, until further notice.

In a statement issued by the Head of the Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Chikadibia Edoziem, on Friday, the DOS said the indefinite suspension was intended to safeguard the movement’s operations and mission, protect IPOB family members worldwide, especially those in Biafraland; and prevent any security breach or emergency in the region.

According to the statement: “Considering the enormous responsibility placed upon the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra to safeguard our operations and mission; protect IPOB family members worldwide, especially those in Biafraland, and prevent any security breach or emergency in Biafraland, the Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra has, in view of the foregoing grounds, suspended indefinitely and with immediate effect the Office of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra and the position of Director of Radio Biafra previously held by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu until further notice.”

The statement explained that the action was taken to prevent individuals or groups who may be inclined to commit crimes in Biafraland, engage in criminal activities, or carry out unauthorised actions under the purported authority of the now-suspended Office of the Leader.

The DOS said the decision was also aimed at preventing unchecked actions, reckless assumptions of authority, and unguarded utterances that could lead to the arrest, torture, and needless deaths of Biafran youths in Biafraland.

It noted that “To halt and checkmate individuals and groups not affiliated with IPOB who claim to derive legitimacy from the existence of the now-suspended Office of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra to carry out actions that conflict with IPOB’s mission statement, any crime or criminal activity undertaken in the name of the suspended Office of the Leader shall not be attributed to IPOB but solely to the individual or individuals responsible for such actions.”

“IPOB shall henceforth not be held accountable for the actions of individuals or groups not holding any active position within IPOB, or for actions taken by persons not authorised by the Directorate of State to act on behalf of the Indigenous People of Biafra self-determination movement.”

The DOS also stated that the decision forms part of ongoing efforts to reposition and strengthen the operations of the Biafran self-determination movement championed by IPOB, making it more responsive to its core objectives.

It added that following a meeting of the full house of the Directorate held on June 17, 2026, members resolved to impose the indefinite suspension in what they described as the overall interest of Biafran

The body said that the Indigenous People of Biafra, as the name implies, is a self-determination movement of the Biafran people.

It further stated that the movement was formed and nurtured by a group of Biafrans in the Diaspora, not by any single individual, for the freedom of the Biafran people and the restoration of a sovereign Biafran nation.

IPOB maintained that no individual, regardless of rank or position, possesses the authority or power to dissolve the Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra, which it described as the apex institution overseeing the affairs of the movement.

According to the DOS, any claim regarding the purported dissolution of the apex leadership structure of the IPOB global family is ab initio null and void, of no effect whatsoever, and should be disregarded by IPOB members worldwide, Biafrans, and the general public.

The public was urged to consign any purported dissolution of the Directorate to the “waste bin,” describing such efforts as futile.

The statement also cited several reasons for the decision: “Having reviewed the intelligence report from the IPOB M-Branch regarding the meeting held a couple of weeks ago between operatives of the Nigerian State Security Service (DSS), officers of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency, and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in Sokoto Prison;

“Fully aware that every visitor, activity, and communication involving Mazi Nnamdi Kanu within and outside Sokoto Prison is being monitored by the DSS.”

“Mindful that certain unguarded communications from Sokoto Prison to individuals in Biafraland have resulted in unnecessary arrests and the deaths of IPOB family members.”

“Cognisant of the fact that there is an ongoing plan by certain individuals to establish a new militia through which another round of violence may be instigated and unleashed in Biafraland.”

“Knowing that the foundation has been laid and the execution phase activated for the eventual dissolution of the Indigenous People of Biafra freedom movement through the purported dissolution of the Directorate of State, the apex leadership organ of IPOB.”

The DOS further affirmed its commitment to a peaceful struggle, stating: “We affirm that the pursuit of our inalienable right to self-determination is peaceful and non-violent and must never become a basis for causing harm, hardship, or death to the very people we seek to liberate from the injustices and atrocities perpetrated by the Nigerian system.”

The Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra, acting with a sense of duty and responsibility and in addition to the reasons already outlined, resolved to suspend the Office of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra indefinitely,” it added.