IPOB Accuses Nigerian Govt, Army of Plot to Demonise Group and Justify Attacks in South-East

• The Indigenous People of Biafra has accused the Nigerian government and the military of fabricating insecurity in the South-East to demonise the group and justify military operations in the region.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the Nigerian government of orchestrating what it described as a deliberate campaign to portray the group as responsible for insecurity in the South-East.

In a statement issued on March 14, 2026, the group alleged that the government, in collaboration with some Igbo politicians, was attempting to fabricate security threats in the region in order to justify military operations and divert public funds.

The statement was signed by IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, who claimed the actions were aimed at discrediting the organisation and weakening its campaign for self-determination.

IPOB is led by Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently facing trial in Nigeria over charges related to terrorism and secessionist activities.

According to the group, the alleged plan involves presenting manipulated evidence to portray IPOB as responsible for violent activities in the South-East.

The group specifically alleged that photographs of improvised explosive devices recovered in parts of the South-West were falsely presented as evidence of weapons seized from an IPOB camp in Imo State.

IPOB claimed the images were circulated by the Nigerian Army through a post attributed to Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 82 Division.

The group said the photographs were originally linked to earlier incidents in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State but were later reused and attributed to an operation in the South-East.

According to the statement, the images were said to have been shared in relation to a military operation known as Operation UDO KA.

IPOB described the development as a deliberate attempt to portray the South-East as a conflict zone and justify continued military deployment in the region.

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The group further alleged that the strategy was intended to influence public perception and weaken support for its campaign for the independence of Biafra.

IPOB also claimed that security operations in the region were being used to justify increased funding for military activities.

The organisation accused some political leaders from the South-East of supporting what it described as a campaign against the region.

IPOB said the alleged actions were aimed at suppressing calls for self-determination and undermining the movement.

The group reiterated its demand for the release of its leader, Kanu, and called for an international investigation into security operations in the South-East.

It also urged foreign governments, including the United States and Israel, to review their security cooperation with Nigeria.

IPOB maintained that it remained committed to pursuing its political objectives through non-violent means.