March 14, 2026
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the Nigerian government and military authorities of orchestrating what it described as a campaign to falsely link the group to violent activities in the South-East.
In a press statement released by its Directorate of Media and Publicity, IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful alleged that recent claims about the discovery of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) attributed to the group were fabricated. The organization said certain images circulated by military authorities were originally linked to incidents outside the South-East but later presented as evidence of alleged operations involving IPOB.
The group referenced posts reportedly made by Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, concerning materials allegedly recovered during security operations in Imo State.
Allegations of Image Misrepresentation
According to IPOB, images used to support claims of a discovered “bomb factory” linked to the group were previously associated with separate incidents that occurred in parts of South-West Nigeria, including Oyo State. The organization argued that these images were repurposed to portray the South-East as a security hotspot and to justify military operations in the region.
IPOB maintained that the allegations were part of a broader attempt to portray the movement as violent while discrediting its campaign for self-determination led by Nnamdi Kanu.
Claims of Political Motives
In the statement, the group further alleged that insecurity narratives surrounding the South-East were being used to secure additional funding for security operations and to intensify military presence in the region. IPOB also criticized certain political figures from the South-East whom it accused of collaborating with federal authorities.
Appeal to International Community
IPOB called on international actors, including the United States and Israel, to review their security cooperation with Nigeria and to investigate what it described as human rights violations and misinformation campaigns related to the conflict in the South-East.
The organization reiterated its position that its activities are focused on non-violent self-determination and urged for the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who remains in detention while legal proceedings continue.
The Nigerian government and military authorities have not issued an official response to the specific allegations raised in the IPOB statement as of the time of this report.
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