The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has issued a stern warning to criminals operating in the South-East region, pledging to take a no-nonsense approach to eliminating lawlessness and criminal activities. The statement, made public on January 30, 2025, comes in the wake of the fourth anniversary of the group’s Eastern Security Network (ESN), which is tasked with securing the region against external threats, including the activities of terrorists and Fulani herdsmen.
IPOB spokesman Emma Powerful, while speaking in a statement released to the press, asserted that the ESN would not retreat in its mission to rid the South-East of criminal activities. He emphasized that the group’s commitment to self-determination, particularly the release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, remains unwavering. Powerful also highlighted that IPOB’s fight is rooted in the struggle for Biafrans to have a right to self-determination, including the pursuit of a referendum to decide their future.
“The ESN will intensify operations in 2025, specifically targeting criminals who have turned our land into a hotspot for illegal activities—ranging from ritual killings and extortion to drug trafficking and forced disappearances,” Powerful said. “We are prepared for ‘an eye for an eye’ operation, ensuring that Biafra Land remains free from terrorism and criminality.”
The anniversary celebration of the ESN was postponed due to security concerns in the region, but Powerful made it clear that this did not diminish their resolve. He lauded the efforts of the ESN operatives for their bravery in safeguarding the region, particularly in the face of threats from various armed groups.
In his statement, Powerful drew a line between those who work to protect the people of the region and those who, he claimed, collaborate with the Nigerian government to hunt IPOB members. He cautioned local vigilante groups operating in the region to avoid aligning with the Nigerian government, suggesting that anyone found doing so could face direct consequences from the ESN.
“The ESN has no problem with vigilantes working to fight crime. However, if they collaborate with the government and security forces to target IPOB members or innocent Biafrans, they should be prepared for a confrontation,” he warned.
This declaration from IPOB comes amid heightened security concerns in the South-East, where the group’s members have consistently clashed with security forces. Many local residents in the region have expressed frustration over the escalating violence, as well as the growing influence of external armed groups. In response to these challenges, the IPOB and its affiliate ESN have vowed to take stronger action to protect the people of the South-East from what they describe as an invasion by foreign forces under the guise of Nigerian security agencies.
Powerful also reaffirmed the IPOB’s demand for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who has been incarcerated by the Nigerian government since 2021. The IPOB leader, who is at the forefront of the Biafran separatist movement, was arrested on charges of treason, though his supporters claim that the charges are politically motivated.
“The Nigerian government must release our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and all other Biafrans wrongfully detained,” Powerful insisted. “We will not stop until we are granted the right to self-determination. Under international law, self-determination is not a crime.”
Despite the IPOB’s demands, the Nigerian government has shown no sign of budging, with President Bola Tinubu’s administration maintaining a hardline stance against separatist movements in the country. Critics argue, however, that this approach has only served to exacerbate tensions in the South-East, contributing to the rise of violence and militant activities in the region.
The ESN’s operations, meanwhile, have become increasingly visible, as they reportedly engage in raids against alleged criminal elements in the region. Reports suggest that some individuals masquerading as members of Nigerian security forces are believed to be involved in criminal activities, further complicating the situation.
In its latest statement, IPOB warned that it would take drastic measures to rid the South-East of what they view as terrorist cells within the security services. Powerful specifically mentioned that the ESN would target individuals who are believed to be working with herdsmen in land acquisition deals or those profiting from the abduction and killing of Biafrans.
“Those who profit from betraying their own people should be ready to face the same fate,” he added.
The group also reiterated its call for international support, urging the global community to hold the Nigerian government accountable for its treatment of Biafran citizens and its continued suppression of the region’s independence movement. This message comes as tensions continue to mount in the South-East, with clashes between IPOB forces and Nigerian security agents showing little sign of abating.
As the situation in the region remains volatile, the IPOB’s bold declaration promises to escalate the conflict even further. With the ESN poised to launch intensified operations against criminals, and the group’s leaders continuing their calls for a referendum, the future of the South-East region remains uncertain.
In the face of these challenges, the IPOB has vowed not to back down, reaffirming its commitment to fighting for the rights of Biafrans, no matter the cost. As Powerful concluded, “Biafra Land must be free from all forms of criminality and terrorism.”
