The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced the indefinite suspension of the Office of the Leader and the position of Director of Radio Biafra, both formerly occupied by Nnamdi Kanu.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday, June 18, by the Head of the Directorate of State (DOS), Mazi Chikadibia Edoziem.

He said the move was taken in the interest of the organisation’s security, stability and long-term objectives.

Edoziem added that the measure is intended to protect members of the movement across the world, particularly those in the South-East, while also guarding against potential security threats.

The statement said: “Considering the enormous responsibility placed upon the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra to safeguard our operations and mission, protect IPOB family members worldwide, especially those in Biafraland, and prevent any security breach or emergency in Biafraland, the Directorate of State of IPOB has suspended indefinitely and with immediate effect the Office of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra and the position of Director of Radio Biafra previously held by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu until further notice.”

The group stated that the suspension was designed to stop individuals and organisations from claiming authority under the leadership office to carry out activities not sanctioned by IPOB.

It maintained that any criminal act committed in the name of the suspended office should not be linked to the organisation.

The statement added: “To halt and checkmate individuals and groups not affiliated with IPOB who claim to derive legitimacy from the existence of the now-suspended Office of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra to carry out actions that conflict with IPOB’s mission statement, any crime or criminal activity undertaken in the name of the suspended Office of the Leader shall not be attributed to IPOB, but solely to the individual or individuals responsible.

“IPOB shall henceforth not be held accountable for the actions of individuals or groups not holding any active position within IPOB, or for actions taken by persons not authorised by the Directorate of State to act on behalf of the Indigenous People of Biafra self-determination movement.”

The Directorate revealed that the decision followed deliberations at a full meeting of the Directorate held on June 17, 2026, where members concluded that the suspension was necessary for the collective interest of Biafrans.

The statement stressed that IPOB was founded and sustained by Biafrans in the diaspora and should not be viewed as the creation of any single individual.

The group also rejected any attempt to dissolve the Directorate of State, describing such claims as invalid.

According to the statement, “ab initio null and void” was the status of any purported dissolution of the Directorate, and members as well as the public were urged to disregard such declarations.

Explaining the reasons behind the decision, the DOS cited intelligence reports, concerns over communications allegedly linked to arrests and fatalities among members, and fears of plans to establish an armed group capable of fuelling renewed violence in the region.

The statement continued: “Having reviewed the intelligence report from the IPOB M-Branch regarding the meeting held a couple of weeks ago between operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), officers of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in Sokoto Prison.

“Being fully aware that every visitor, activity and communication involving Mazi Nnamdi Kanu within and outside Sokoto Prison is being monitored by the DSS. Mindful that certain unguarded communications from Sokoto Prison to individuals in Biafraland have resulted in unnecessary arrests and the de@ths of IPOB family members;

“Cognisant of the fact that there is an ongoing plan by certain individuals to establish a new militia through which another round of violence may be unleashed in Biafraland. And knowing that the foundation has been laid for the eventual dissolution of the Indigenous People of Biafra movement through the purported dissolution of the Directorate of State.”

The Directorate reiterated its commitment to non-violent advocacy and insisted that the campaign for self-determination must not endanger the people it seeks to represent.

“We affirm that the pursuit of our inalienable right to self-determination is peaceful and non-violent and must never become a basis for causing harm, hardship or death to the very people we seek to liberate from the injustices and atrocities perpetrated by the Nigerian system,” the statement added.

The DOS said that, in fulfilment of its responsibilities, it had resolved to keep the Office of the Leader suspended until a further review is conducted.