The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has condemned the reported abduction and subsequent “rescue” of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State, distancing the Biafra movement from the incidents and accusing Governor Hope Uzodinma of allegedly manipulating the state's security situation for political purposes.
The group made its position known in a press statement issued by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, who said IPOB had no involvement in the incidents and described attempts to associate the movement with the kidnapping of corps members as a deliberate effort to damage its reputation.
IPOB, under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, said it condemned the abductions and maintained that its struggle was a peaceful campaign for self-determination through a referendum.
In the statement, Powerful questioned why Imo State continued to experience such incidents while other states across the South-East and South-South regions were not experiencing what he described as a similar pattern.
According to IPOB, intelligence gathered by its M-Branch allegedly indicated that Uzodinma was manipulating the state's security structure to advance his political interests.
The group alleged that the governor was facing political tensions involving Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and was seeking to strengthen his relationship with President Bola Tinubu by presenting himself as an indispensable security figure in the region.
IPOB Alleges Political Ambition Behind Insecurity
IPOB further alleged that Uzodinma was seeking to position himself for the Senate Presidency, claiming that the governor's political ambitions and the interests of some Igbo politicians opposed to Kanu's release were influencing developments in the region.
The organisation alleged that these political interests were being pursued at the expense of peace and public safety. However, the statement did not provide independently verifiable evidence to substantiate the allegations.
Group Raises Concerns Over Security Checkpoints
The pro-Biafra group also raised concerns about what it described as the unexplained withdrawal of military personnel from strategic checkpoints across Imo State.
According to the statement, these alleged security gaps were subsequently exploited by politically sponsored militias and armed groups to carry out attacks, abductions and ransom collection.
IPOB claimed that the incidents were being orchestrated to create insecurity and shift blame onto the Biafra movement.
The allegations were presented by the organisation as its assessment of the security situation. The statement did not include independent evidence establishing that the reported activities were directed by the state government.
IPOB Links Criminal Activities to Election Boycott
The group also addressed its position on elections, reiterating that it intended to boycott elections and would announce the specific methodology for the proposed boycott closer to the relevant period.
IPOB alleged that criminal elements and individuals sponsored by the state had previously exploited Monday sit-at-home orders and were now using the group's election boycott position as cover for criminal activities.
According to the statement, such individuals were allegedly attempting to portray their actions as part of IPOB's activities.
The organisation maintained that it did not target civilians, students or NYSC members, describing its objective as a peaceful and legally grounded struggle for self-determination through a referendum.
IPOB Demands Independent Investigation
IPOB called for an immediate, transparent and independent international investigation into the reported abductions along the Onitsha–Owerri axis.
It also demanded an investigation into the financial transactions associated with ransom payments connected to the incidents.
The group urged members of the public and the international community to examine the circumstances surrounding the abductions rather than accept what it described as a politically motivated narrative originating from Owerri.
The statement was signed by Comrade Emma Powerful, spokesperson and media and publicity secretary of IPOB.
The allegations against Governor Hope Uzodinma and the claims concerning the circumstances of the NYSC abductions remain attributable to IPOB's statement. Independent confirmation of the alleged political conspiracy, the involvement of state-sponsored groups and the circumstances surrounding the reported rescue was not provided in the statement.
