IPOB Raises Alarm Over Sharia Debate, Says Nigeria’s Structure Threatens Religious Freedom

• IPOB has warned that ongoing debates over Sharia law highlight deeper structural issues in Nigeria, insisting that only a separate Biafra state can guarantee religious freedom and security.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has expressed concern over ongoing debates surrounding Sharia law in Nigeria, stating that the situation highlights deep structural challenges affecting religious freedom in the country.

In a statement issued on February 27, 2026, and signed by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the group referenced recent reports, including those linked to Riley Moore, and discussions involving former U.S. President Donald Trump, regarding the status of Sharia law in Nigeria.

IPOB, under the leadership of Nnamdi Kanu, stated that while it supports the right of Muslims to practice their religion, including the use of Sharia within their communities, it opposes what it described as the imposition of such laws on non-Muslims.

The group argued that the broader issue reflects what it called an inability of the Nigerian state to effectively protect citizens from religious-based violence and discrimination, particularly in parts of Northern Nigeria.

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According to the statement, IPOB believes that Nigeria’s legal and governance structure allows for conflicting systems that undermine true secularism and equal protection under the law.

Reiterating its long-standing position, the group maintained that the creation of a separate Biafra state remains, in its view, the only solution to guarantee security, religious freedom, and human rights for affected populations.

IPOB also called on international actors, including the United States and other global institutions, to take note of the situation and engage with developments concerning religious freedom in Nigeria.