IPOB Denies Criminal Links, Blames Politicians for Insecurity in Igboland
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has firmly rejected any involvement in criminal activities, accusing political figures of orchestrating insecurity in the southeastern region to tarnish the group’s image and hinder its cause. In a statement issued by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the group expressed its readiness to collaborate with local security agencies in a concerted effort to combat criminals allegedly backed by politicians.
IPOB argued that certain politicians are using the rise in insecurity as a tactic to discredit the organization and its security wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). The group believes this strategy is aimed at undermining its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and preventing his efforts toward achieving Biafran independence through a United Nations-supervised referendum.
“The mission of these Igbo politicians, driven by envy and jealousy of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s popularity, is to collaborate with historical enemies of the Igbo people to destroy IPOB, disband ESN, and force our leader to abandon his mandate. Their plans will never succeed,” the statement declared.
IPOB also dismissed the accusations linking ESN to the ongoing wave of violence in Igboland, describing such claims as “illogical and baseless.” The group pointed out that if ESN were truly responsible, insecurity would have begun much earlier—either with the establishment of the group in 2020 or the founding of IPOB in 2012—rather than being a recent development.
The statement further accused politicians and security forces of fostering and funding criminal elements, including a figure in Finland, to infiltrate and discredit IPOB’s legitimate quest for Biafran freedom.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace, IPOB emphasized its dedication to justice and lawfulness, vowing to work alongside genuine security organizations to rid Igboland of the criminal elements allegedly funded by those opposed to the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
