The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group advocating for the secession of parts of Nigeria, has called for the release of Igbo individuals who it claims are unlawfully detained across the country. This demand was made by IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES.
Following the release of four male members who had spent four years in State Security Service custody, Powerful characterized this situation as indicative of broader systemic injustice faced by the Igbo community. He emphasized that the release should not distract from the ongoing issue of detention faced by many members of the group.
According to Powerful, IPOB’s legal team has identified 83 individuals allegedly moved from military detention at Wawa Barracks in Kainji, Niger State, to various correctional facilities including Kuje, Keffi, and Suleja. He stated that the names of the detainees’ legal representatives have been communicated to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Powerful further claimed that many others remain incarcerated, with some serving life sentences primarily linked to their alleged affiliation with IPOB. He described the situation as an abuse of state power, asserting that political beliefs or membership in IPOB should not lead to imprisonment in the absence of specific criminal charges.
He criticized the legal foundations of IPOB’s designation as a terrorist organization, arguing that the classification lacks proper statutory approval as outlined in Nigerian law. He also referred to a previous court ruling involving MultiChoice Nigeria Ltd, asserting that legal standards should remain consistent regardless of the parties involved.
Additionally, Powerful contested the court ruling from 2017 that deemed IPOB a terrorist group, arguing that current legal challenges to this designation are still unresolved and must be addressed by the authorities. He stressed that individuals should not face life imprisonment based solely on alleged group membership and called for accountability regarding the 83 identified individuals in detention.
Powerful has urged international bodies such as the United Nations and the United States government to intervene regarding what IPOB describes as violations of the rights of those detained. He reiterated that the release of the four individuals does not conclude the matter and highlighted the need for all unlawfully detained members to be freed.
While the Nigerian government has attributed various terror attacks in the southeast to IPOB, the organization has consistently denied responsibility, maintaining that it seeks peaceful advocacy for the Biafran cause.
