The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced the indefinite suspension of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, as part of measures aimed at restructuring the movement and strengthening its internal operations.
In a statement issued by Chikadibia Edoziem, head of IPOB’s Directorate of State (DOS), the group also confirmed that Kanu has been removed from his position as director of Radio Biafra.
According to the statement, the decision was reached during a DOS meeting held on June 17 following a review of an intelligence report concerning interactions involving Kanu and officials of Nigerian security agencies while in custody.
The group maintained that IPOB remains a self-determination movement established by Biafrans in the diaspora and emphasized that no single individual has the authority to dissolve or override its central leadership structure.
IPOB expressed concerns that certain communications linked to Kanu’s detention had allegedly contributed to the arrest and loss of members. The organisation also claimed there were efforts to create a new armed group capable of triggering fresh violence in the South-East and undermining the movement’s leadership framework.
The suspension, IPOB said, is intended to prevent individuals or groups from carrying out unlawful activities while claiming to act under the authority of its leadership. The group stressed that any criminal acts committed in the name of the suspended office would not be regarded as actions of IPOB.
It further stated that the measure is designed to protect young supporters from avoidable arrests, intimidation and other consequences arising from unauthorized directives or statements.
The organisation reiterated that only individuals officially recognized by its Directorate of State are authorized to speak or act on its behalf, adding that it would not accept responsibility for activities carried out by persons operating outside its established structure.
