The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has hailed the United States government’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” calling it a long-overdue acknowledgment of widespread human rights abuses in the country.
In a statement released on Sunday, IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, described the move as a “bold and historic step” by U.S. President Donald Trump, commending it as a moral victory for justice, truth, and the sanctity of human life.
Powerful recalled that a Canadian court had previously classified Nigeria’s two main political parties—the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—as terrorist organizations, citing their alleged involvement in state-enabled violence and corruption.
“The IPOB family, under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, warmly welcomes this designation,” the statement read. “This recognition exposes the deep-seated persecution of minority groups and state-sponsored killings that have long been ignored by the global community.”
IPOB urged Washington to follow up the designation with a comprehensive investigation into ongoing ethno-religious violence and human rights violations in Nigeria, particularly in the South-East and Middle Belt regions.
The group also expressed appreciation to Senator Ted Cruz and several pro-Biafra advocacy groups in the U.S. for their persistent campaign to draw international attention to what it described as “systemic persecution and genocide” against Christians and Igbos in Nigeria.
“This decision by the U.S. is not just symbolic; it is a victory for humanity,” Powerful stated. “It shines a light on the suffering of millions and calls the Nigerian government to account for its role in these atrocities.”
He added that IPOB would continue to push for justice, urging the international community to ensure that those behind the killings and political violence are held accountable.
“The world is finally listening,” the statement concluded. “This is a step toward freedom, justice, and the restoration of dignity for all peoples trapped in this contraption called Nigeria.”
