Firstsitenews-The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has sharply criticised Amnesty International’s recent report on violence in Southeast Nigeria, describing it as misleading and aligned with what it calls the Nigerian government’s “state-sponsored disinformation campaign.”
In a statement released on Thursday by spokesperson Comrade Emma Powerful, IPOB rejected what it termed “reckless insinuations” that misrepresent its peaceful push for self-determination.
End of Sit-at-Home Order in 2023
The group clarified that it officially ended all Monday sit-at-home directives on July 24, 2023. The announcement, IPOB noted, was widely disseminated through press releases, radio broadcasts, interviews, and covered by both local and international media. Any acts of violence connected to sit-at-home enforcement after that date, it said, were the work of unauthorised individuals and not linked to IPOB.
Violence Attributed to State Saboteurs and Criminal Gangs
IPOB insisted that independent findings and community accounts indicate that much of the violence in the region is driven by “state-linked infiltrators” aiming to tarnish the group’s image, alongside opportunistic criminal groups. The movement faulted Amnesty International for failing to distinguish between IPOB’s peaceful operations and the activities of these “rogue actors.”
Longstanding Non-Violent Record
Since its formation in 2012, IPOB stated, it has adhered strictly to non-violent methods such as rallies, public campaigns, and grassroots mobilisation. It highlighted that no Nigerian or foreign court has convicted the organisation of violent crimes. The statement also referenced a 2022 Court of Appeal ruling in Abuja that discharged its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, of all charges, affirming IPOB’s peaceful stance.
Criticism of Militarisation and Legal Breaches
The group accused the Nigerian government of deliberately portraying it as violent to justify a heavy military presence in the Southeast. IPOB also condemned the continued detention of Kanu despite his acquittal, calling it a violation of Section 36(8) of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits double jeopardy, as well as a breach of international human rights agreements.
Appeal to Amnesty International and Global Media
IPOB urged Amnesty International, AFP, and other media outlets to acknowledge the official termination of sit-at-home orders in 2023, differentiate the movement from criminal actors, and apply more rigorous scrutiny to state claims. It also called on AFP journalist Nick Roll to retract any reports that “uncritically echo Nigeria’s narrative” without credible evidence.
Renewed Pledge to Peaceful Advocacy
“IPOB functions strictly within the framework of international law,” the statement concluded. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to non-violence, the protection of civilians, and the global struggle for self-determination. Neither state-sponsored defamation nor biased reporting will deter us.”
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