The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has condemned in strong terms the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo over his criticism of the Labour Party chieftain, Peter Obi on his recent call for the release of IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

In a press statement issued on Monday, June 15, 2026, the IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, accused Soludo of “betrayal” and “political chameleonic behaviour,” saying the governor had previously called for Kanu’s release and has now changed his stance.
IPOB referenced two previous incidents to support its assertion:

“Soludo visited Kanu in DSS facility in Abuja on May 13, 2022 and publicly appealed for his release, even offering to stand surety.

“In March 2025, Law Mefor, Soludo’s Commissioner for Information, said the governor was “working diligently for Kanu’s release” to restore peace in the South-East.”
This was compared by the group to Soludo’s recent reaction to Peter Obi’s call for the “immediate and unconditional release” of Kanu which the Anambra government described as “a slap on the Nigerian judiciary.” IPOB described the stance as “the height of treachery” and associated it with Soludo’s purported aspiration to become vice president in 2031.

“What happened all of a sudden Governor Soludo? Your blind and shameless ambition is what changed. “You have now opted to sacrifice Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on the altar of caliphate appeasement,” the statement said.

IPOB described Kanu’s detention as “illegal” and in “violation of court orders”, and said Soludo’s position was a “insult” to late Igbo leaders, including Mbazulike Amaechi, former Ohanaeze Ndigbo President George Obiozor and Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who had advocated for Kanu’s release.

The group also said the demand for Kanu’s release “is not an Igbo affair alone” and pointed to support from Yoruba cleric Prophet Ayodele and “well-meaning Nigerians” in other regions.

However, IPOB sent a warning to Soludo, “The Igbo nation has a long memory, your northern masters will never trust a proven betrayer of his own people.

Nnamdi Kanu has been in DSS custody since June 2021 with charges of terrorism and treason filed against him, which he has denied. The same case has been appealed in several courts and is still pending before the judiciary.

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The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has condemned the continued detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, said his administration if elected President would engage separatist agitators and other groups with grievances through dialogue not force.

Obi was said to have spoken during an interaction with Nigerians in Washington where he argued that Kanu should not be kept in detention over comments he allegedly made on Radio Biafra.

‘No Reason to Hold Kanu
Obi said criticism of political leaders, such as insults or name-calling, should not be regarded as a criminal offence.

He said public office holders should be ready to face criticism from the citizenry and said arresting people for their comments was not the right way of governance.

“There is no reason to keep Nnamdi Kanu,” he said. There’s no reason at all. He has not done anything wrong, the government has no reason to arrest him for just talking and calling people names on the radio. It doesn’t make any sense.”

The former governor said members of the public often criticize politicians but that should not lead to arrests or detention.

“Anybody can tell you anything. “I am a politician and people call me all sorts of names and I don’t think calling me names is an offence,” he added.

Obi emphasized that if elected president in 2027, his administration would prioritize dialogue in dealing with separatist groups and other aggrieved Nigerians.

“It is important that the government understands why there are agitations and not dismissing those involved,” he opined.

“If I am in government today, I will talk with all agitators because I believe that they have a reason for whatever they want to do and it’s only by talking to them that we learn,” he said.

He said the engagement would help the government to identify the roots of grievances and proffer lasting solutions to issues threatening national unity.

On issues of election, Obi said: “If Nigerians do not agree that their vote will count, it will not count.
It was reported that Kanu has been in the custody of the Federal Government over terrorism charges and his activities as the leader of IPOB.

There have been calls for his release by many political, religious and traditional leaders in the South-East and his continued detention has been a major issue.

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The leadership of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB has directed all churches across the South-East and parts of the South-South to hold special memorial and thanksgiving services on Sunday, May 31, 2026.
The group said the services are meant to honour and remember millions of lives lost in the Nigerian-Biafran civil war.
The directive is part of activities marking the 59th anniversary of the declaration of Biafra by the late General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu on May 30, 1967.

This was contained in a statement by the National Director of Information of MASSOB, Edeson Samuel.
The statement from the faction of the movement led by Comrade Uchenna Madu said this year’s anniversary was a major milestone in the ongoing struggle for self-determination.
As part of the commemoration, the separatist group had earlier declared a mandatory sit-at-home order on Saturday, May 30, 2026, across the region, which it described as a day of sober reflection, remembrance and civil disobedience.
“MASSOB has earlier announced that all markets, public and private motor parks, schools, banks and other public business premises shall remain closed from 6 am to 4pm on 30th May, 2026,” Samuel said.
“The closure of these public places and services are signs of honour, respect and patriotism to our fatherland. It is a mark of appreciation and acknowledgement of the numerous sacrifices and prices our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters rendered for Biafra during the three years of war.”
But the pro-Biafra group cautioned its members against any form of public gathering that could lead to confrontations with security agencies.
There would be no physical demonstrations, street marches, processions or any other public functions anywhere in the region on May 30, the statement said.
The group also said it is leveraging the 59th anniversary to show solidarity with the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (Indigenous People of Biafra), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (Nnamdi Kanu), while demanding his immediate and unconditional release from state custody.
MASSOB said major cities in the region are likely to be heavily populated with security agents before the anniversary and urged residents to remain resolute.
“MASSOB is aware that the armed Nigerian Army, Mobile Police, DSS operatives and Civil Defence will be heavily deployed in major cities. ’No matter how much intimidation, killings, detention or oppression by security, the willpower of an indigenous people for self-determination will never be stopped,’ the statement said.

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The Nigerian Navy has transferred five persons suspected to be involved in the activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Eastern Security Netwrk, ESN and other criminal groups to the Department of State Services, DSS, Anambra State Command for further investigation.

Personnel of the Naval Outpost, NOP, Onitsha, deployed at the Forward Operating Base, FOB, Amiyi, have detained suspects following intelligence reports linking them to alleged criminal activities in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, a statement signed by Abiodun Folorunsho, Naval Director of Information, said.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that one of the suspects is the alleged coordinator of the group’s operations in the affected communities while the others are said to be linked to the network.

The initial findings also identified locations allegedly used for meetings and recruitment.

The suspects were later handed over to the Department of State Services for further investigation and appropriate action in line with established inter-agency cooperation and existing regulations.”

This operation underscores the Nigerian Navy’s unrelenting commitment to supporting internal security operations and its persistent efforts to counter criminality, violent extremism, and threats to national security in joint operational areas.

The Nigerian Navy continues to ensure synergy of security operations with relevant agencies in the interest of peace, stability and protection of lives and property across the nation.

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The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared a total lockdown throughout the South-East region on May 30, 2026, to commemorate what it called “Biafran Heroes and Heroines Remembrance Day.”

The directive was in a statement signed by the group’s spokesman Mr C. Okadigbo and issued by the Directorate of State.

The group said May 30 was a day to remember those who died for Biafran self-determination especially during the Nigerian civil war.

“On May 30th, we take a moment to remember and honour the men, women, and children who gave their lives fighting for Biafra’s freedom.

“Fight for our freedom 1967 – 2026. “Their sacrifice in the struggle for our self-determination is a defining part of our history and identity,” the statement said.

The IPOB called on the people of the area to mark the day with reflection and symbolic memorial activities.

“We encourage everyone to take time on this day to reflect on their courage and bravery, to tell their stories, and to pay respect to the families who still carry the weight of that loss.

“Light a candle, hold a minute of silence and reverence, or gather with your families to share memories,” the group said.
IPOB called the occasion solemn and said the sacrifices of those it called “fallen heroes and heroines” must never be forgotten.

“May 30th is a day of sober reflection, let us keep alive the memories of those who died for the cause of Biafra, and let their sacrifice remind us why the ideals of freedom, dignity and justice for which they paid the ultimate price must not be forgotten or allowed to be extinguished,” it said.

12-hour total lockdown
The group said there would be a total shutdown of activities across what it described as “Biafraland” between 6am and 6pm on the said date.

“On the 30th of May 2026, the entire Biafraland will be on TOTAL LOCKDOWN from 6am to 6pm at sunset, stay indoors and pray with your family and friends and perform your rituals and prayers according to your faith and belief,” the statement read.

IPOB said no vehicles would be allowed to move during the period except emergency services.

“There shall be no vehicular movement, except for emergency vehicles. All markets and offices will be shut.

It also said: “School owners and administrators and parents are advised to keep their children and wards at home, market leaders, banks, parks, transport companies etc are advised to inform their members to avoid falling victim to trigger happy Nigeria terrorist security officers.”

The group also said it had alerted governors in the South-East and other stakeholders on the planned lockdown.

“The DOS has formally notified all the governors in Biafraland about this forthcoming May 30th 2026, Biafran Heroes and Heroines Remembrance Day. “The leadership will also formally notify other stakeholders by the beginning of next week,” the statement said.

IPOB reiterated its position and urged continued remembrance of what it called fallen fighters.

We remember them! We pay them tribute! “We will not forget their sacrifice,” the group said.

The announcement is expected to increase security concerns and public debate across the South-East as the date nears.

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The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has said that the Igbo need to interrogate their claims of marginalisation, to know whether the clamour for secession is right or wrong.

Soludo made the remark Tuesday while delivering the 6th Biennial Adada Lecture organised by the Association of Nsukka Professors at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

The ivory tower no longer interrogates issues, as it used to, he said, which was surprising. Universities, he insisted, have generally lowered the bar of critical thinking.

“The declaration of the Nigeria-Biafra war was made from this hall (UNN) and the justification or otherwise of that declaration should have been questioned by the university community.

“We are creating thousands of papers that never leave the shelves, while the country is struggling for real solutions.

“Nigeria is drowning in more noise, less light. We must condemn the widening gap between classroom ideas and government action. Knowledge that does not feed into policy is no knowledge at all.

“The future of the Igbo is in a united Nigeria. Igbo intellectuals should lead the debate, not street rhetoric.

“Don’t stand there with your hands on your hips while the nation drifts, the silence from the intellectual class could cost Africa dearly. Talent is not enough, if you don’t act, you are part of the problem,” the governor said.

Soludo told the scholars that history favoured doers and not writers and cited global icons like Isaac Newton, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Kwame Nkrumah.

Soludo challenged the lecturers to look inward and said that intellectualism without action is sterile.

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Aloy Ejimakor, the lawyer for Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), says that a lot of Igbo young people don’t want to vote in any elections as long as Nnamdi Kanu is still in Sokoto’s correctional center.

Ejimakor said this while talking about why the “City Boy” movement, a group that supports President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, didn’t get much support in Nigeria’s Southeast.

Remember that the “City Boy” movement chose Obinna Iyiegbu, a well-known hotelier and businessman, as its Southeast Coordinator?

But the last events put on by the “City Boy” movement in Imo State were not successful.

Ejimakor wrote on 𝕏 that his research on recent political events in the Southeast showed that the movement was having a hard time because many young people in the region weren’t interested in politics.

He says that Kanu’s continued imprisonment is the main issue that is affecting people’s political views in the area.

He said, “Based on what I’ve found, the City Boys movement quickly failed in the Southeast because most Igbo youths don’t want to vote in any elections that will happen while Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is in prison.”

“For them, and for now, that’s the #BigElephant in the room.”

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Obi Aguocha, the member of the House of Representatives from Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, says that his constant calls for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), have come at a high personal and political cost.

Aguocha said that his stance had cost him money and hurt his reputation, but he said he had no regrets about what he did.

He said, “I know what I’ve lost as a member of the House of Representatives for speaking out for Nnamdi Kanu and other constitutional issues, the positions I’ve taken.”

The lawmaker said that because he keeps speaking out, some people have called him names and pushed him to the side.

“I know what I’m losing now because they have marked me as ‘okay he is always on this side,’ but I don’t regret it at all,” Aguocha said.

He said that his stance was based on strong beliefs and a commitment to fairness.

Aguocha also said that Kanu had given him the only job of negotiating his release, calling the move a sign of trust.

He says that the approval shows how much faith the detained IPOB leader has in his work.

The federal lawmaker also said that some leaders in the South-East were wrong for not talking about Kanu’s detention and other problems that the Igbo people are facing.

He asked leaders in the area to be more brave and work together to solve important problems.

Aguocha told Igbo leaders to follow the example set by Yoruba leaders in getting Sunday Igboho released.

He said that everyone needs to work together and in a coordinated way to get the same results for Kanu.

The lawmaker did, however, praise Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, for getting other governors in the South-East to speak out for Kanu’s release.

He called the move a good thing that could help get more people on board.

Aguocha also talked about future political races, saying that Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, would not be able to beat Otti in the 2027 election for governor.

The post “Aguocha: I’m Facing Consequences for Defending Nnamdi Kanu” appeared first on TheNigerian.

The alleged altercation between Governor Charles Soludo and a group claiming to represent the Indigenous People of Biafra, or IPOB, at a recent Town Hall meeting in London has been denounced by Chinedu Obigwe, the chairperson of the APGA Media Warriors Forum.

The gathering, which was meant to inform the Anambra diaspora about Soludo’s progress, reportedly became tense when the group accused the governor of being complicit in attacks on young people and of doing nothing about Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s detention.

Obigwe refuted the allegations in a statement on Tuesday, pointing out that the majority of the “so-called agitators” were funders of Anambra State’s insecurity, which Soludo has made a concerted effort to eradicate.

According to the statement, eight local government areas were terrified by “criminal elements, masquerading as IPOB members,” compelling locals to leave.

“A news that Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State was approached by a group of people claiming to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has caught the attention of the APGA Media Warriors.

In addition to accusing the governor of supporting the attacks and murders of young people in the region, they also accused him of failing to try to secure Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release.

In light of this, it has become instructive that we make the following statements for the sake of courage and clarity.

“When Soludo first took office, he made a call to criminal elements fleeing the forest to come out under his amnesty program and undergo rehabilitation.

For months, Soludo pleaded with them to surrender their weapons and contribute to the development of Anambra State.

“Those in custody were released on bond, and those who accepted the offer were reintegrated into society.”

Above all, Governor Charles Soludo paid Mazi Nnamdi Kanu a visit at the DSS facility, where he called the Monday sit-at-home order unlawful and expressed his disapproval of the killings and kidnappings in Igbo territory.

“Those miscreants operating under the cover of IPOB continued to hold eight local government areas of Anambra State under siege despite the Governor’s sincere and calculated actions.

To put it mildly, the South East’s economy was being criminally undermined, and people were fleeing their homes.

“Governor Charles Soludo introduced and launched Operation Udo Ga Chi, which is composed of the Agunechemba Security Squad and all the Service Commands in the state, in order to put an end to the carnage in Anambra State, in response to this lawlessness that pervaded the state as it was.”

“Apparently, it is most regrettable that some fifth columnists and uninformed people chose to protest against the restoration of sanity, peace, security, and Rule of law in Anambra state,” the statement continued.

For the past ten years, the majority of these alleged agitators have not returned home because of fear of being abducted or assassinated, and their families have continued to counsel them against doing so.

“It is evident that individuals that attended the Town Hall meeting to confront Soludo are the ones who are funding the murders, robberies, and instability in Anambra State since they have lost their deposits in this violent and lethal business.

Given that they are protesting against the peace and serenity that our people are currently enjoying, it appears that these fifth columnists are the true enemies of Anambra and Ndigbo.

“We urge them to return home and conduct an immediate, first-hand assessment of the peace in Igbo land rather than making incredibly false and fraudulent claims.”

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Following reports of a massacre in Jos, Plateau State, Aloy Ejimakor, a legal consultant to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, or IPOB, has advocated for the establishment of what he called a “sovereign safe zone” for Christians in Nigeria.

According to Ejimakor, the tragedy highlights the necessity for what he called a long-term solution to the nation’s continuous attacks on Christians.

“The necessity of establishing a ‘sovereign safe zone’ for Christians in Nigeria is highlighted by the #PalmSunday massacre of Christians in #JosNigeria (by Islamists),” he stated.

He claimed that this kind of action would deal with what he called ongoing insecurity and violence.

“This is the only realistic and long-term solution to the unchecked violence and terror that has devastated Nigeria and killed thousands of Christians,” he continued.

Ejimakor went on to say that the plan is consistent with stances previously taken by Biafran organizations, claiming that the Federal Government chose to detain Kanu instead.

“It’s documented that the #Biafrans had long proposed this solution, but the Nigerian government chose to rendition and imprison Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for life instead of taking it into consideration,” he stated.

Additionally, he urged world leaders to become involved.

He declared, “It has now become more urgent & compelling for the comity of nations & world leaders to prevail on the Nigerian government to free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and initiate prompt steps towards achieving a permanent solution.”

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