Photo: Leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu
The Indigenous People of Biafra has dismissed the Nigerian government’s recently released “terrorism sponsors list,” describing it as misleading and politically driven.
In a statement issued on Monday, April 13, 2026, the group’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, said the publication was an attempt to “deceive the public” and discredit its campaign for self-determination.
IPOB, led by Nnamdi Kanu, questioned the credibility of the list and accused the Nigerian government of double standards in its definition of terrorism, alleging a failure to adequately address violence against civilians.
The group cited historical grievances in Nigeria’s South-East, including past conflicts and alleged human rights violations, which it said reflect long-standing injustices against the Igbo people.
It maintained that its agitation for self-determination remains peaceful and lawful in jurisdictions where it operates, insisting that such advocacy should not be equated with terrorism.
“The struggle for justice, dignity, and self-determination is not a crime,” the statement said, adding that attempts to label the movement as terror-related would not deter its activities.
IPOB also alleged that its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, remains under unlawful detention, which it described as part of a broader effort to silence dissent.
Reaffirming its stance, the group said it would not be intimidated by what it termed political labelling or propaganda, stressing that its push for Biafra remains “non-negotiable.”
It further urged the international community to disregard what it called misinformation, maintaining that its activities are rooted in peaceful advocacy and the pursuit of rights.
The statement concluded that official designations or public listings would not weaken its resolve, vowing to continue its agitation “until justice is achieved.”
