The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has indefinitely suspended the office of its detained leader Nnamdi Kanu and shifted administrative control to its Directorate of State following a major internal rift.
The decision was announced after a full-house meeting of the Directorate on Wednesday, according to a statement issued on Thursday and signed by Mazi Chikadibia Edoziem, Head of the Directorate of State.
The group cited “unguarded communications” from Kanu in Sokoto prison that allegedly led to arrests and deaths of members in Biafraland.
“IPOB was formed and nurtured by a group of Biafrans in the Diaspora (not by any singular individual),” the statement stressed, underscoring that no single person can dissolve the Directorate of State, which remains the apex leadership body.
The suspension aims to prevent reckless actions and crimes committed under Kanu’s name, the group said, adding that IPOB “shall hence forward not be held accountable for actions of individuals or group of Individuals not holding any active position within IPOB.”
The move comes days after Kanu reportedly dissolved the 3rd Administration of the Directorate and appointed US-based Mazi Chris Nwaọgụ as head of a new 4th Administration.
Kanu, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in November 2025 on terrorism-related charges, remains in custody.
