The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced the indefinite suspension of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, citing concerns over what it described as “unguarded utterances” and actions that could endanger members of the movement.
In a statement issued by Chikadibia Edoziem, head of IPOB’s Directorate of State (DOS), the group’s highest decision-making body, the organisation said Kanu had also been removed as director of Radio Biafra as part of efforts to restructure and strengthen its operations.
According to IPOB, the decision was reached during a DOS meeting on June 17 following a review of an intelligence report concerning an alleged meeting involving Kanu and officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA) while in custody at Sokoto prison.
The group said IPOB was founded as a self-determination movement by Biafrans in the diaspora and maintained that no individual possesses the authority to dissolve its leadership structure.
Edoziem stated that the DOS considered concerns that Kanu’s communications and movements were being monitored by security agencies, adding that some prison communications had allegedly resulted in the arrest and deaths of IPOB members.
The statement also alleged the existence of plans to establish a new militia that could trigger fresh violence in the South-East and weaken the IPOB movement by targeting its leadership structure.
IPOB said the suspension was aimed at preventing criminal activities from being carried out under the authority of the office of the leader and to stop actions that could lead to arrests, torture and the deaths of young people in the region.
The group further stated that individuals or groups claiming legitimacy from the now-suspended office of the leader would bear sole responsibility for any actions undertaken in IPOB’s name without authorisation from the Directorate of State.
The development marks a significant shift within the separatist organisation, with the DOS emphasising that IPOB would no longer be held accountable for actions carried out by persons not holding active positions within the movement.
Kanu’s Conviction and Appeal
Kanu is currently serving a life sentence after being convicted on terrorism-related charges by the Federal High Court in November 2025.
The court sentenced him to life imprisonment on four counts, while additional prison terms of 20 years and five years were imposed on separate charges.
During the trial, DSS officials testified that Kanu admitted to making broadcasts that allegedly incited attacks on police officers. Another witness linked violence that followed the #EndSARS protests to comments attributed to the IPOB leader.
Kanu has since appealed the conviction.
