April 13, 2026 l By William Emma
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly condemned the Nigerian government over its inclusion on a newly released terrorism-related list, insisting that its campaign for self-determination remains legitimate and non-negotiable.
In a statement reacting to the development, IPOB described the designation as misleading and politically motivated, rejecting what it called attempts to label its activities as terrorism. The group maintained that its agitation is rooted in the right to self-determination and not acts of violence.
IPOB further urged the international community to disregard the classification, arguing that it is part of a broader effort by authorities to suppress its movement and delegitimize its demands for an independent Biafra state.
The Nigerian government has long maintained that IPOB is a terrorist organization, a designation first made in 2017 amid rising tensions and security concerns in the southeastern region.
However, the group insists that its struggle is based on advocacy, civil rights, and international law, reiterating that it will not be intimidated by what it termed propaganda or political labeling. It emphasized that its goal of achieving self-determination for the people of Biafra remains unchanged.
The latest controversy follows reports that Nigerian authorities named dozens of individuals and entities linked to terrorism financing, a move that has sparked reactions from various groups and heightened debate over national security and political dissent.
The issue of Biafra remains one of Nigeria’s most sensitive political questions, rooted in historical grievances dating back to the civil war between 1967 and 1970. IPOB, founded in 2012, has since become one of the most prominent groups advocating for the secession of southeastern Nigeria.
As tensions continue, the dispute highlights the ongoing clash between government security policies and separatist movements, raising broader questions about political rights, national unity, and the limits of dissent in Nigeria.