THE Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) says it has indefinitely suspended its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and removed him as director of Radio Biafra as part of efforts to reposition the organisation and strengthen its operations.
NEWS POINT NIGERIA reports that the decision was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by Chikadibia Edoziem, Head of the Directorate of State (DOS), which is described by the group as IPOB’s highest decision-making body.
According to the statement, the proscribed organisation said the move formed part of broader efforts to safeguard its leadership structure, preserve its mission and prevent actions capable of undermining the movement.
IPOB maintained that it was established as a self-determination movement “formed and nurtured by Biafrans in the diaspora” for the restoration of a sovereign Biafra and was not created by any individual.
The group further stated that no single person possesses the authority to dissolve its central leadership structure.
DOS Cites Intelligence Report for Suspension
Edoziem disclosed that the decision to suspend Kanu was reached during a meeting of the Directorate of State held on June 17 after members reviewed what he described as an intelligence report from “IPOB’s M-Branch.”
According to him, the report concerned an alleged meeting involving Kanu and officers of the Department of State Services and the National Intelligence Agency at Sokoto prison.
He said the DOS observed that Kanu’s movements and communications remain under surveillance by the DSS and alleged that some prison communications had resulted in the arrest and deaths of IPOB members.
Edoziem further claimed that there were plans to establish a new militia through which another round of violence would allegedly be unleashed in Biafraland, while efforts would also be made to weaken and ultimately dissolve IPOB by targeting its leadership structure.
IPOB Says Suspension Aimed at Preventing Criminal Activities
According to the DOS head, the suspension is intended to prevent individuals or groups from committing crimes or engaging in unlawful activities under the authority of the now-suspended office of the IPOB leader.
He said the action would help prevent unchecked activities, reckless assumptions of authority and unguarded statements that could lead to arrests, torture and the deaths of Biafran youths.
Edoziem added that the decision would also halt activities by individuals and groups not affiliated with IPOB who claim legitimacy for actions that conflict with the organisation’s objectives.
According to the statement, such individuals often cite the office of the IPOB leader as justification for actions that do not align with the movement’s mission.
“Any such crime or criminal activity taken in the name of the suspended office of the leader shall not be attributed to IPOB but solely to the person or persons who may have instigated them,” the statement read.
“IPOB shall hence forward not be held accountable for actions of individuals or group of Individuals not holding any active position within IPOB or for actions of persons not authorized by the Directorate of State to act on behalf of the Indigenous People of Biafra Self-Determination movement.”
Kanu Serving Life Sentence Over Terrorism Conviction
The development comes months after Kanu was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment on terrorism-related charges.
In November 2025, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced the IPOB founder to life imprisonment after finding him guilty on several counts contained in a seven-count charge.
Kanu received life imprisonment on counts one, four, five and six of the charge.
He was also sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on count three and five years imprisonment on count seven.
During the trial, a DSS officer testified that Kanu admitted during interrogation to making statements that allegedly incited Nigerians to attack police officers.
Another DSS witness linked the violence that followed the #EndSARS protests to what he described as inciting comments made by Kanu.
Despite the conviction, Kanu has appealed the judgment, and legal proceedings relating to the case remain ongoing.
The latest decision by IPOB marks a significant development within the organisation, as it seeks to redefine its internal structure while distancing itself from actions carried out in the name of its suspended leader.