The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has raised alarm over what it describes as the continued and unwarranted attribution of criminal activities to its members by Nigerian security agencies.
In a statement released on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the pro-Biafra group expressed deep concern that law enforcement authorities routinely link various crimes to IPOB and its vigilante arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), without proper investigation or credible evidence.
“The repeated association of crimes with IPOB and ESN, regardless of context or verification, raises serious concerns,” the statement read.
Citing a recent case involving the arrest of a woman who allegedly impersonated a soldier in Katsina State, IPOB questioned the inconsistency in how security-related incidents are reported and prosecuted across different parts of the country. The group emphasized that all cases involving impersonation or criminal conduct should be handled with uniform scrutiny, transparency, and fairness—irrespective of geography or ethnicity.
While reaffirming its commitment to self-determination, IPOB reiterated its rejection of all forms of criminality. The group also urged security forces and the media to ensure that public communications and investigations are evidence-based and devoid of ethnic or political bias.
“We urge the Nigerian authorities to avoid generalizations and ensure that justice is based on evidence and due process,” IPOB said, calling for a balanced and law-abiding approach to security enforcement.
The group concluded by reaffirming its commitment to peaceful and lawful advocacy, while demanding an end to what it termed the “unjust criminalization” of its members.
