The Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra has announced the indefinite suspension of the Office of the Leader of the group and the position of Director of Radio Biafra, both previously occupied by Nnamdi Kanu, pending further review.
The Punch reported that the announcement was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Head of the Directorate of State, Mazi Chikadibia Edoziem, who said the move was taken to protect the movement’s operations and overall mission.
According to him, the decision also aims to safeguard IPOB members across the world, particularly those in Biafraland, while preventing possible security breaches or emergencies in the region.
The statement partly read, “Considering the enormous responsibility placed upon the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra to safeguard our operations and mission, protect IPOB family members worldwide, especially those in Biafraland, and prevent any security breach or emergency in Biafraland, the Directorate of State of IPOB has suspended indefinitely and with immediate effect the Office of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra and the position of Director of Radio Biafra previously held by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu until further notice.”
The group said the action was necessary to stop individuals or factions from allegedly exploiting the suspended office to carry out unauthorised activities or criminal acts in the name of the movement.
It also accused unchecked conduct and reckless assertions of authority of potentially exposing Biafran youths to arrests, torture, and even loss of life.
The statement added, “To halt and checkmate individuals and groups not affiliated with IPOB who claim to derive legitimacy from the existence of the now-suspended Office of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra to carry out actions that conflict with IPOB’s mission statement, any crime or criminal activity undertaken in the name of the suspended Office of the Leader shall not be attributed to IPOB, but solely to the individual or individuals responsible.
“IPOB shall henceforth not be held accountable for the actions of individuals or groups not holding any active position within IPOB, or for actions taken by persons not authorised by the Directorate of State to act on behalf of the Indigenous People of Biafra self-determination movement.”
The Directorate of State further said the restructuring forms part of wider efforts to strengthen and reposition the movement in line with its core objectives.
It added that the decision was reached during a full Directorate meeting held on June 17, 2026, where members unanimously approved the indefinite suspension in what they described as the interest of Biafrans.
The group maintained that IPOB remains a diaspora-driven self-determination movement and not controlled by any single individual.
It also insisted that no person has the authority to dissolve the Directorate of State, which it described as the highest decision-making body overseeing the organisation’s affairs.
According to it, any attempt to dissolve the body is “ab initio null and void” and should be disregarded by members and the public.
The DOS also cited intelligence reports and internal concerns as part of its justification, including alleged meetings involving security agencies and Nnamdi Kanu.
The statement said, “Having reviewed the intelligence report from the IPOB M-Branch regarding the meeting held a couple of weeks ago between operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), officers of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in Sokoto Prison.
“Being fully aware that every visitor, activity and communication involving Mazi Nnamdi Kanu within and outside Sokoto Prison is being monitored by the DSS. Mindful that certain unguarded communications from Sokoto Prison to individuals in Biafraland have resulted in unnecessary arrests and the deaths of IPOB family members;
“Cognisant of the fact that there is an ongoing plan by certain individuals to establish a new militia through which another round of violence may be unleashed in Biafraland. And knowing that the foundation has been laid for the eventual dissolution of the Indigenous People of Biafra movement through the purported dissolution of the Directorate of State.”
Reaffirming its stance, the group stressed that its agitation remains non-violent and must not lead to harm or instability.
“We affirm that the pursuit of our inalienable right to self-determination is peaceful and non-violent and must never become a basis for causing harm, hardship or death to the very people we seek to liberate from the injustices and atrocities perpetrated by the Nigerian system,” the statement added.
It concluded that the Directorate acted out of responsibility to suspend indefinitely the Office of the Leader pending further internal review.
