The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has alleged that there is a coordinated plot to assassinate its imprisoned leader, Nnamdi Kanu, following comments made by entrepreneur Chigozie Nnabugwu during a live television programme, warning that it will pursue legal action against News Central Television and several individuals it accused of promoting what it described as a campaign of incitement against Kanu.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday and signed by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, the separatist group condemned remarks made by Nnabugwu during an appearance on News Central TV’s Breakfast Xtra, where he urged the Federal Government to execute Kanu, claiming that such a move would restore peace and normalcy in Nigeria’s South-East region.
According to Nnabugwu, insecurity in the region had reduced following the arrests of prominent separatist figures and would decline further if Kanu were killed.
“If Nnamdi Kanu is dead today, if the government of Nigeria will kill Nnamdi Kanu, trust me, normalcy will start coming. That’s all every Igbo man prays for,” he said during the programme.
Reacting to the comments, IPOB described the statement as reckless, dangerous and an open call for the extrajudicial execution of its leader, alleging that it formed part of a wider conspiracy by political actors opposed to the Biafran struggle.
“Our hearts bleed with righteous anger, yet our spirits burn with unquenchable fire. The enemies of Biafra have once again shown their ugly, blood-stained hands in broad daylight,” Powerful declared.
The organisation argued that the latest development followed what it called a familiar pattern of attempts to weaken the movement whenever it records significant legal or political gains.
IPOB further alleged that successive Nigerian governments had repeatedly sought to eliminate Kanu, claiming that he had consistently rejected offers of freedom in exchange for abandoning the agitation for an independent Biafra.
“Four times they offered him freedom in exchange for abandoning Biafra. Four times he rejected it and chose Biafra,” the statement claimed.
The group also insisted that violent insecurity in the South-East only escalated after Kanu’s arrest and extraordinary rendition from Kenya in June 2021, alleging that armed groups responsible for attacks in the region were sponsored to tarnish IPOB’s image and justify the continued prosecution of its leader.
It maintained that Kanu, who has remained in detention for years, could not reasonably be held responsible for the violence across the region.
“Where was this insecurity before his rendition in June 2021? The APC government and their South-East collaborators created the chaos through sponsored militias to justify their sham trials,” IPOB alleged.
The group announced plans to institute legal proceedings against News Central Television, Chigozie Nnabugwu, Reno Omokri, former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad, Lolo Nneka Chimezie and other unnamed individuals over what it described as defamatory and malicious statements directed at Kanu.
“We are taking this to court. News Central, this so-called businessman, Reno Omokri, Bashir Ahmad, Nneka Chimezie and every other sponsored liarāprepare your evidence. Present in open court what the Nigerian government could not tender in over ten years of persecution,” Powerful said.
IPOB also urged its supporters across the world to remain steadfast in the Biafra agitation, insisting that intimidation and propaganda would not derail its campaign for self-determination.
“Remain resolute. Expose every traitor in your midst. Amplify the truth louder than their lies. Prepare for the final pushāthe referendum is non-negotiable,” the statement added.
The organisation further warned that there would be consequences should any harm come to Kanu, although it did not specify the nature of the threatened retaliation.
Kanu, leader of IPOB, is serving a life sentence after he was convicted on terrorism-related charges in November 2025. He had remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021, when he was extraordinarily renditioned from Kenya to Nigeria, a process that has remained the subject of legal and political controversy.
Nigerian authorities have consistently blamed violent attacks in the South-East on criminal elements and have repeatedly linked many of the incidents to IPOB and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). IPOB has repeatedly denied responsibility for the violence, insisting that criminal gangs are being used to discredit the organisation and undermine its campaign for Biafra.