Explainer: Digging into IPOB and What It Represents

Since the Nigerian Civil War in 1967 fought between the Nigerian government and the separatist Biafra state, there has been a distinct movement designed to enshrine the liberation of the South Eastern states which fall under the Biafra region. This fight in a contemporary setting has largely been shaped by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)- an organization centered around fulfilling the vision of Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu- the Biafran leader during the Civil War. Consequently, this has led to conflict with the Nigerian government who balk at its separatist philosophy. We offer an insight into the organization and what makes it tick.

What Is The Origin Story Of IPOB?

The birth of the IPOB movement can be traced to a secessionist movement that started in the 1960s. Led by Lt. Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu, the movement posited itself as representing the interests of the South East region who felt marginalized by the central government dominated by leaders from the Northern part of the region. As a result of this, they sought to break free from the shackles of the Nigerian government and form the Republic of Biafra. The failure of the leaders to deescalate this conflict resulted in a Civil War which lasted from 1967 and 1970. Despite “losing” the war, the overarching theme of separatism remained, bubbling underground. In a sense, the lasting relevance of this idea is proof of the failures of the state to reintegrate the South East region successfully.

New Leadership, Same Cause

Since Ojukwu’s rise and fall, there have been many other pro-Biafra groups including the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Biafra Zionist Movement (BZM). IPOB is the latest. Led by Nnamdi Kanu, the plan remains the same — break free of Nigeria and restore an independent Biafran State in the South Eastern Region of Nigeria. Kanu was relatively unknown until 2009 when he started Radio Biafra. Broadcasting from London to Nigeria, he criticized the government and called for the freedom of Biafrans. In 2015, he got arrested by Nigerian security forces on charges of “sedition, ethnic incitement, and treasonable felony.” With Kanu in charge and Radio Biafra, the movement has gained a lot of ground over the years. The  IPOB group has gained influence while Nnamdi Kanu is known as the ‘Supreme leader’ amongst his people.

The Current Situation With IPOB

With Kanu imprisoned, this has served as a rallying point. His supporters have responded by protesting and marching against his arrest. These protests have often resulted in the loss of lives. Between 2015 and 2016, about 150 pro-Biafra protesters were reportedly killed by the Nigerian security forces in an attempt to restrict their protests, according to an investigation by Amnesty International.

“This deadly repression of pro-Biafra activists is further stoking tensions in the southeast of Nigeria. This reckless and trigger-happy approach to crowd control has caused at least 150 deaths and we fear the actual total might be far higher,” said Makmid Kamara, Interim Director of Amnesty International Nigeria. “The Nigerian government’s decision to send in the military to respond to pro-Biafra events seems to be in large part to blame for this excessive bloodshed. The authorities must immediately launch an impartial investigation and bring the perpetrators to book.”

Since these killings, IPOB has been labeled a terrorist organization by the Federal High Court in Abuja after a reported clash between military personnel and IPOB members in Umuahia, the Abia state capital in 2017. The Biafran group appealed against this but the ruling was upheld. The United States government has weighed in saying that it does not see IPOB as a terrorist organization.

IPOB members continue to clash with the authorities as security agents continuously raid the homes of members. This inspired a sit-at-home order that was first introduced to highlight the level of public support in their quest for an independent nation of Biafra. Originating as a once-a-year event to pay homage to those who died in the Civil War, it has now evolved into a tool to draw attention to Kanu’s detention as IPOB often urges residents of the South-East to stay indoors whenever he is arraigned in court. However, the continuous sit-at-home orders have often resulted in violence and the ongoing unrest in Enugu State which IPOB has denied having anything to do with.

Kanu, the leader of the IPOB group has pleaded not guilty to charges of Terrorism and Treason. On the 19th of January, a high court in Umuahia ordered the Nigerian Government to pay Kanu the sum of N1billion for the infringement on his fundamental human rights and the invasion of his father’s home in Afara Ukwu in September 2017 by the military. Presently, Kanu is under detention at the detention facility of the Department of State Services (DSS)

What next? 

IPOB’s request for a referendum on the separation of Biafra from Nigeria finally reached a front burner on January 20, 2022, when the Yoruba and Efik ethnicities filed a petition to join in the suit documented by the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG). The demand from Biafran agitators and the two other ethnicities for a referendum is still being considered and will be reviewed in court come March 14, 2022.