IPOB Urges FG to End Propaganda Linking Kanu to Ekpa, Demands His Unconditional Release

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has rejected what it described as failed attempts to associate its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, with the activities of Simon Ekpa, insisting that such propaganda has collapsed “like a pack of cards.”

In a statement on Sunday, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, stressed that Nigeria remains the only country branding the movement as a terrorist organisation, noting that no international court, government, or global body has ever endorsed such a designation.

Titled “IPOB commends Martin Onovo and others for their sound position on Simon Ekpa and reaffirms the global legitimacy of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s struggle,” the statement reiterated that IPOB is a peaceful, legally registered self-determination movement, recognised in more than 60 countries and active in over 100 territories worldwide.

Powerful commended Martin Onovo, former presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP), for his firm stance on what he called the fraudulent attempt to link Kanu with Ekpa’s conviction in Finland. IPOB quoted Onovo as describing Ekpa as “a deranged criminal” with no ties to either Kanu or the movement, while highlighting that the Federal Government’s refusal to obey court rulings freeing Kanu created a vacuum for opportunists like Ekpa to exploit.

“Let it be abundantly clear to the international community that IPOB is a peaceful self-determination movement operating under international law, including the African Charter and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP),” the group said.

The statement emphasised that despite seven years in unlawful detention—following his abduction in Kenya and extraordinary rendition to Nigeria—Kanu has continued to show sacrifice, compassion, and selfless leadership. IPOB recalled that during the COVID-19 pandemic, he mobilised members to distribute food and relief materials across Biafraland, defended Igbo farmlands against herdsmen attacks, and helped reduce insecurity such as kidnapping and armed robbery in the South-East.

It further described Simon Ekpa as “a Nigerian creation deliberately engineered to undermine IPOB,” alleging that the government attempted to use him to supplant Kanu’s legitimate leadership, similar to how ISWAP replaced Abubakar Shekau in Boko Haram.

“The evil plot has failed and will continue to fail. The Biafran people remain united under Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. IPOB has no connection to the violence attributed to Ekpa and his mercenaries,” it declared.

Appealing to the global community, IPOB insisted that Kanu’s continued detention—despite multiple court orders discharging him—violates Nigeria’s Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains in detention not because he committed any crime, but because his global influence, moral authority, and unparalleled popularity threaten the Nigerian cabal and their collaborators. Justice demands that he be freed today,” the statement concluded.