The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) says it has indefinitely suspended its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, while also removing him as the director of Radio Biafra in what it described as an effort to reposition the organisation and strengthen its operations.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Chikadibia Edoziem, head of IPOB’s Directorate of State (DOS), its highest decision-making body.
IPOB described itself as a self-determination movement founded and sustained by Biafrans in the diaspora for the restoration of a sovereign Biafra, stressing that no individual has the authority to dissolve its central leadership structure.
According to Edoziem, the decision to suspend Kanu followed a DOS meeting held on June 17, where an intelligence report from “IPOB’s M-Branch” was reviewed regarding an alleged meeting between Kanu and officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA) at Sokoto prison.
He stated that the group is concerned that Kanu’s movements and communications are being closely monitored by the DSS, adding that some prison-related communications had allegedly led to the arrest and deaths of IPOB members.
Edoziem further alleged that there were plans to establish a new militia aimed at instigating violence in Biafraland and weakening the IPOB structure by targeting its leadership.
He said the suspension was also necessary to prevent individuals from committing crimes or carrying out actions in Kanu’s name, which could expose members to arrests, torture, or death.
He added that the move would help stop “reckless assumption of authority” and prevent unauthorised persons from acting under the suspended office of the IPOB leader.
According to him, any criminal activity carried out in the name of the suspended office would not be attributed to IPOB, but to those behind such actions.
“IPOB shall henceforth not be held accountable for actions of individuals or groups not holding any active position within the organisation or authorised by the Directorate of State,” the statement added.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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