The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly criticised the transfer of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to a correctional facility in Sokoto State, saying the move threatens his safety and could obstruct his right to appeal his recent conviction. IPOB made the claim in a statement released on Sunday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, who described both the sentence and the transfer order as “malicious” and part of a continuous campaign against Kanu and the Biafra self-determination movement.
The group expressed worry that relocating Kanu to the far north-west, a region grappling with serious security challenges, increases the risk of harm to him and makes it harder for his legal team to properly manage and pursue appeals. Kanu, a controversial pro-Biafra activist, has been at the centre of one of Nigeria’s most sensitive political and security debates for nearly a decade. His arrests, trials, and confrontations with the federal government have often sparked protests across the South-East.
In its statement, IPOB said the decision to transfer Kanu to Sokoto is “jeopardising his life” and could limit his ability to challenge his conviction through the courts. The group urged the Federal Government to guarantee his safety and respect his fundamental rights, especially his right to a fair hearing.
IPOB argued that the relocation would make it more difficult for Kanu’s lawyers—who are mostly based in the South-East and Abuja—to access him and file timely legal documents. “Nigerians and the international community should ensure that no harm befalls Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. They should also monitor that his right of appeal is protected,” the group said.
The organisation added that Kanu’s transfer contradicts what it described as constitutional expectations, including the Federal Character principle, which they claim should guide sensitive decisions affecting detainees facing serious charges.
The movement went further to accuse the Federal Government of using the justice system to weaken the Biafra struggle. Emma Powerful alleged that the court judgment and Kanu’s relocation were part of a wider plan aimed at intimidating the group and discouraging its calls for a separate Biafran nation.
IPOB insists it remains a peaceful movement seeking self-determination and called for a United Nations-supervised referendum to allow the people of the South-East to decide their political future. According to the group, such a referendum is the only peaceful path toward reducing tension in the region.
“We are a peaceful and disciplined movement. The only way to defuse tensions would be for the government to allow Biafrans to exercise self-determination through a United Nations-supervised referendum,” Emma Powerful stated.
Nnamdi Kanu has been one of the most controversial figures in Nigeria’s recent political history. As the founder of Radio Biafra and a leading voice for Biafra independence, he has attracted a strong following across the South-East. At the same time, his activities have drawn criticism from federal authorities, who accuse him of spreading division, inciting violence, and threatening the unity of the country.
Kanu was first arrested in 2015 on charges including treasonable felony. After being granted bail in 2017, he fled the country and later resurfaced abroad. In 2021, he was rearrested and brought back to Nigeria to face trial, a development that sparked major protests and clashes in parts of the South-East.
His latest conviction has generated mixed reactions. Supporters insist the charges are politically motivated, while the federal government maintains that the legal process remains legitimate and necessary.
IPOB’s objection also touches on the wider security context in Nigeria. Sokoto State, like many states in the north-west, has suffered from widespread bandit attacks, kidnappings, and clashes between armed groups. Communities in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna have experienced continuous violence, leading to thousands of deaths and mass displacement.
By moving Kanu to a facility in this region, IPOB argues that the government may be exposing him to avoidable danger. The group urged the government to reconsider the relocation and place Kanu in a more secure and accessible environment.
Civil society groups and human rights organisations have also followed Kanu’s case closely over the years, often calling for transparency in the handling of politically sensitive trials. Many groups have urged the government to allow due process and avoid actions that may worsen tensions in the South-East.
The transfer to Sokoto has added another layer of concern among observers who believe any decision that could inflame ethnic or regional tensions should be carefully considered. Analysts warn that Kanu’s detention continues to be a flashpoint issue that influences security and political dynamics across the South-East.
In the final part of its statement, IPOB appealed directly to international institutions, including the United Nations, Amnesty International, and foreign governments, to monitor Kanu’s treatment. The group said that international attention is needed to prevent what it fears could be an attempt to silence him permanently.
IPOB also urged foreign partners to encourage the Nigerian government to adopt more inclusive political solutions to address long-standing grievances in the South-East rather than focusing solely on force and legal pressure.
For now, Kanu remains in detention as legal teams prepare further appeals. The federal government has not yet issued a detailed response to IPOB’s latest claims, though officials in the past have insisted that the case is being handled strictly according to Nigerian law.
