The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has renewed its call for the unconditional release of its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, asserting that several of his past warnings and predictions about Nigeria’s security and political climate have materialized.
In a statement on Friday by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, the group said that Kanu’s long-standing concerns about insecurity, political instability, and the marginalization of ethnic groups have come to pass, reinforcing the urgency for a national dialogue on Nigeria’s future.
Kanu, who has been in detention since 2021 after his arrest and extradition, is facing charges linked to his separatist campaigns. IPOB stated that his calls for self-determination and his warnings about escalating violence across the country some dating back to 2014 have been vindicated by recent developments.
“The recent events in Nigeria reflect what Mazi Nnamdi Kanu had long warned about,” the group said, citing his predictions of rising insecurity and the activities of armed groups in various regions.
Reiterating its demand for restructuring, IPOB argued that Nigeria’s current structure rooted in colonial-era amalgamation has led to persistent conflict and underdevelopment. The group emphasized the need for a referendum to allow indigenous nationalities to decide their political and cultural futures, advocating for a peaceful and democratic process.
“We believe the lasting solution lies in giving ethnic nationalities the opportunity to decide their own paths,” IPOB stated, while affirming its commitment to non-violence and the protection of its people.
Describing Kanu’s continued detention as unjust, the group called on the federal government to release him without conditions and urged stakeholders to support efforts towards achieving equity and justice through national restructuring.
The statement concluded with a call for unity among Nigerians to collectively address the country’s mounting security challenges.
