The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Imo State Family, has condemned the alleged abduction of seven persons by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Obokofia Egbema, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, while accusing the founder of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Ralph Uwazuruike, of maintaining what it described as a "suspicious silence" over the incident.
In a press statement issued on Thursday and signed by the Imo State Coordinator of IPOB, Mazi Edmund C. Ọgụgụọ, the group claimed that the victims were kidnapped on or about June 27, 2026, in Obokofia Egbema.
According to the statement, the victims were allegedly released after their families paid ransom, with their freedom reportedly secured at the Amakohia Ubi Forest.
IPOB said the incident had created fear within the community, alleging that many residents had fled their homes over concerns of further attacks.
The separatist group further claimed that the alleged kidnapping was part of what it described as a growing pattern of kidnappings, killings, rapes and attacks allegedly carried out by suspected Fulani herdsmen across Imo State and the wider South-East region.
The group condemned the incident and called on security agencies to arrest and prosecute those responsible, while demanding improved protection for affected communities.
IPOB also used the statement to launch a fresh attack on MASSOB leader Ralph Uwazuruike, accusing him of focusing his criticism on IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) instead of speaking against the activities of suspected Fulani herdsmen.
The group alleged that Uwazuruike had failed to publicly condemn the reported attacks and questioned his silence on the issue.
IPOB further made allegations that Uwazuruike had compromised the Biafra struggle, claiming he was reluctant to criticise Fulani herdsmen because of alleged dealings with northern political interests. However, the statement did not provide evidence to support the allegations.
Reaffirming its support for detained IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the Eastern Security Network, the group described ESN as an indigenous self-defence outfit committed to protecting communities in the South-East.
The organisation also renewed its call for the restoration of an independent Biafra, urging the international community, including the United Nations, the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union, to intervene in what it described as the worsening security situation in the region.
Neither Ralph Uwazuruike nor MASSOB had publicly responded to the allegations contained in the statement as of the time of filing this report. Similarly, the Nigeria Police Force and the Imo State Government had not issued official statements regarding the alleged kidnapping incident referenced by IPOB.
