February 27, 2026
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has issued a press statement addressing ongoing discussions surrounding Sharia law and religious freedom within Nigeria, describing the debate as a reflection of deeper structural tensions within the country’s political and legal system.
In the statement released Thursday, the group, under the leadership of Nnamdi Kanu, referenced recent international discussions, including a report reportedly submitted by Riley Moore to former United States President Donald Trump concerning the status of the Sharia penal code in Nigeria.
IPOB stated that it respects the right of Muslims to practice their religion, including the application of Sharia law within their communities. However, the organization expressed concerns about what it described as the extension or imposition of religious legal frameworks on non-Muslim populations.
According to the group, tensions surrounding religious law and governance highlight broader challenges within Nigeria’s federal structure, particularly in areas where multiple legal systems—civil, customary, and religious—operate simultaneously.
The organization also cited security concerns affecting communities in parts of Northern Nigeria, mentioning states such as Sokoto State, Borno State, and Plateau State as regions often referenced in discussions about religious violence and insecurity.
IPOB reiterated its longstanding position that the creation of an independent Biafran state would provide stronger guarantees for the protection of religious freedom, human rights, and security for different communities across the region.
The group further called on international institutions, including the United States Congress and global policy stakeholders, to pay closer attention to issues of religious freedom and security in Nigeria.
The statement was signed by Emma Powerful, spokesperson for IPOB.
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