The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has dismissed fresh allegations by Nigerian security agencies linking it to violent crimes, describing such claims as deliberate propaganda aimed at discrediting the movement.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB said security agencies have made it a habit to tag the group to every incident of kidnapping, armed robbery, or unrest in the South-East, despite what it described as lack of evidence.
“Any time the DSS, Army, or Police fail in their duties, they fabricate stories and rush to the media with headlines about ‘IPOB/ESN commander arrested.’ This is not only false, but malicious,” the group stated.
IPOB also distanced itself from a man recently paraded by the military as a commander of its security arm, insisting the suspect had openly denied being a member. The group accused some sections of the Nigerian media of amplifying unverified claims from security agencies, which it said amounted to complicity in the stigmatisation of the Igbo people.
The pro-Biafra group further warned that it would no longer tolerate defamatory reports and vowed to seek redress in court against media outlets that publish what it called “fabricated lies.”
Reaffirming its stance, IPOB maintained that it is a non-violent self-determination movement and insisted that its agitation for Biafra is based on the principles of justice and freedom.
“We are not criminals or terrorists. IPOB will not be shaken by cheap propaganda. Our demand for Biafra remains intact,” the group concluded.
