IPOB Denies Senator Kalu’s Claim Linking Group to 30,000 Deaths in South East

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly rejected claims by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu that the group and its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, were responsible for over 30,000 deaths in Nigeria’s South East.

In a statement released by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the group described the allegation as “false and irresponsible,” insisting it misrepresents the group’s objectives and activities.

Titled “IPOB Did Not Cause Insecurity and Mortality in the South East,” the statement emphasised that IPOB remains committed to a non-violent approach. The group attributed insecurity in the region to broader political and security challenges rather than its actions.

IPOB highlighted that its members and leadership have long been “targets of arrests and security operations” and reiterated calls for an independent investigation into violence in the South East since 2015.

The group further accused Senator Kalu of mischaracterising its role in the region, urging him to present evidence to substantiate his claims. It also dismissed suggestions that IPOB bears responsibility for deaths or destruction in the area, insisting that its agitation has always operated within lawful boundaries.

Additionally, IPOB accused unnamed political actors of exploiting allegations against the group for political gain, warning that such claims could heighten tensions in the region.

The statement reiterated the group’s demand for due process in the legal matters involving Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, suggesting that political interference has influenced the handling of his case. The public was urged to disregard claims linking IPOB to widespread violence without verified evidence.

Senator Kalu had not responded further at the time of publication. IPOB concluded by reaffirming that its movement remains focused on advocacy, stressing that all accusations should be independently examined.