The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has refuted claims by the Nigerian Army that it has coerced Igbo individuals into resigning from the Nigerian Army and other security agencies. In a statement released on Wednesday, IPOB dismissed allegations that its members abducted and assaulted a soldier sent to the South-East to spy on the Biafra movement.
Earlier in the week, the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, accused IPOB of being behind the abduction and torture of retired Corporal Toriola Adewale, a soldier who had allegedly been tasked with spying on the separatist group. A video showing the torture was reportedly circulated by Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed leader of IPOB.
In response, IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, categorically denied the accusations, calling them “propaganda” and a “self-staged crime” by the Nigerian Army. He emphasized that IPOB has no connection with Simon Ekpa, who, according to Powerful, is being used by the Army to tarnish the group’s image.
“The so-called video of an abducted spying soldier is another false flag operation by the Nigerian Army and their provocateurs,” Powerful said. He added that IPOB has never and will never force anyone to resign from the Nigerian security agencies.
While IPOB has appealed to Biafrans to reconsider their service in Nigerian security agencies, Powerful stressed that the group advocates for peaceful persuasion, not coercion.
He reiterated that IPOB has no military force and operates only the Eastern Security Network, a vigilante group formed to combat marauding Fulani militants. According to him, IPOB remains committed to non-violent advocacy for self-determination.
Powerful also criticized the Army’s call to international bodies like the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the United Nations, arguing that these organizations are aware of IPOB’s non-violent stance and the persecution its members face from the Nigerian government.
IPOB continues to insist that it is committed to peaceful self-determination and rejects any association with violent actions or groups.
