The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has disputed claims by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu that 30,000 people in the South East lost their lives as a result of activities linked to its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The group has demanded that the Abia North senator provide verifiable proof to support his allegation.
In a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB described Kalu’s comments as “false, fabricated, and politically motivated,” insisting that neither Kanu nor the group is responsible for any loss of life or destruction of businesses in the region.
The group alleged that IPOB members and supporters have instead been victims of attacks, forced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings carried out by security agencies and political actors determined to discredit the movement.
IPOB accused the senator of betraying his own people for political gain, claiming he has been part of efforts to undermine Kanu and suppress the Biafra agitation. The statement further alleged that Kalu played a role in the circumstances surrounding Kanu’s detention and the pressures placed on the judiciary.
The group insisted that insecurity in the South East is largely sponsored by corrupt politicians and state-backed actors seeking to tarnish its reputation. It called for an independent investigation into violence in the region since 2015—an inquiry it says the government has consistently resisted.
Reiterating its stance on non-violence, IPOB maintained that its struggle has been peaceful despite what it described as state-sponsored aggression and targeted attacks. The group warned that attempts to link it to killings and destruction in the region were part of a long-standing agenda to dismantle the movement.
IPOB also referenced Senator Kalu’s past legal troubles, claiming his political decisions are influenced by attempts to shield himself from accountability.
The group concluded by declaring that Kalu’s statements pose a serious political risk in the region and vowed that “posterity will be the final judge” of all actions taken against its members and leadership.
