Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)

Why in News? Over 700 deaths reported in Nigeria’s southeast since 2021 due to sit-at-home protests called by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), highlighting a major security crisis.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is a separatist group founded in 2012 by Nnamdi Kanu, a British-Nigerian activist, aiming to restore the Republic of Biafra, a short-lived state from 1967 to 1970 during the Nigerian Civil War. It claims to represent the Igbo and other ethnic groups in Nigeria’s South-East, South-South, and parts of the Middle Belt, asserting they are the original inhabitants of Biafraland, tied by deep cultural and historical roots.

Historical Context and Origins:

IPOB’s origins stem from long-standing grievances among the Igbo, intensified by Nigeria’s 1914 colonial amalgamation, which merged diverse ethnic groups, creating ethnic tensions. The 1967–1970 Biafran War, led by Odumegwu Ojukwu, sought Igbo independence after pogroms and political marginalization, ending in defeat with 1–3.5 million deaths, mostly from starvation. IPOB built on earlier pro-Biafra movements like the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), founded in 1999, but adopted a more confrontational stance. Kanu’s Radio Biafra, started in 2009 in London, became a platform to rally support, criticizing Nigerian governance and mobilizing younger Igbos frustrated by economic and political exclusion.

Key Developments

• 2012: IPOB formed under Kanu’s leadership, with Uche Mefor as deputy, gaining traction through social media and Radio Biafra.
• 2015: Kanu’s arrest on sedition and treason charges boosted IPOB’s profile.
• 2017: Nigeria labeled IPOB a terrorist group, a designation later overturned by an Enugu court in 2023 but upheld in Abuja.
• 2021: Kanu’s rearrest in Kenya and extradition led to protests and sit-at-home orders in the South-East, disrupting local economies.
• Eastern Security Network (ESN): IPOB’s security wing, linked to clashes with Nigerian forces, though IPOB denies orchestrating violence.
• 2022: Internal splits emerged, with leaders like Emma Powerful rejecting Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based broadcaster, for claiming Kanu was unfit to lead.

Ideology and Activities:

IPOB seeks Biafran independence through non-violent means, like referendums, though its rhetoric and ESN activities have been tied to violence by authorities. It organizes protests, sit-at-homes, and global campaigns to highlight Igbo marginalization, including unequal political representation and resource allocation. Membership spans Nigeria and the diaspora, driven by historical grievances and ongoing socio-economic challenges.