Indigenous People of Biafra puts leadership and radio station management roles on hold.

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The Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra has indefinitely suspended the Office of the Leader of IPOB and the position of Director of Radio Biafra, both previously held by Nnamdi Kanu, pending further notice.

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In a statement issued on Thursday by the Head of the Directorate of State, Mazi Chikadibia Edoziem, the leadership said the suspension was intended to safeguard the movement’s operations and mission.

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Edoziem added that the decision was aimed at protecting IPOB members worldwide, particularly those in Biafraland, and preventing any security breaches or emergencies in the region.

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The statement partly read, “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 IPOB has 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.”

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The group explained that the action was taken to prevent individuals or groups from engaging in criminal activities or carrying out unauthorised actions under the purported authority of the now-suspended Office of the Leader.

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According to the DOS, the decision was also aimed at curbing unchecked actions, reckless assumptions of authority and unguarded utterances that could lead to the arrest, torture and deaths of Biafran youths.

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The statement added, “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.

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“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.”

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

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

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According to the statement, IPOB is a self-determination movement established and nurtured by Biafrans in the Diaspora and not by any single individual.

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The group maintained that no individual, regardless of rank or position, has the authority to dissolve the Directorate of State, which it described as the apex institution overseeing the movement’s affairs.

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It therefore declared that any purported dissolution of the Directorate of State is “ab initio null and void” and should be disregarded by IPOB members, Biafrans and the general public.

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The DOS cited several reasons for the decision, including intelligence reports regarding alleged meetings involving security agencies and Nnamdi Kanu, concerns over communications that allegedly led to arrests and deaths of members, and fears of plans to establish a new militia capable of triggering fresh violence in the region.

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The statement continued, “Having reviewed the intelligence report from the IPOB M-Branch regarding the meeting held a couple of weeks ago between operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), officers of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in Sokoto Prison.

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“Being 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;

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“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 unleashed in Biafraland. And knowing that the foundation has been laid for the eventual dissolution of the Indigenous People of Biafra movement through the purported dissolution of the Directorate of State.”

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The DOS reaffirmed its commitment to a peaceful struggle, insisting that the quest for self-determination must remain non-violent.

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“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 statement added.

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It stressed that, acting out of duty and responsibility, the Directorate of State resolved to suspend indefinitely the Office of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra pending further review.

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