The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly criticized Amnesty International Nigeria, accusing the human rights organization of hastily blaming it and its Eastern Security Network (ESN) for the recent violent attack on civilians along Okigwe Road in Imo State. In a detailed statement issued by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the group denounced what it described as a deliberate attempt by Amnesty International Nigeria to malign its image through media manipulation and unfounded allegations.
IPOB expressed deep concern over what it termed as the diminishing credibility of Amnesty International Nigeria, alleging that the group has aligned itself with the Nigerian federal government and has therefore lost its objectivity as a human rights watchdog. The pro-Biafra organization stated that Amnesty International’s recent actions—particularly its quick association of IPOB and ESN with the May 8th attack—are part of a broader, state-sponsored campaign of blackmail, misinformation, and media distortion targeted at undermining the group’s peaceful self-determination efforts.
“The global IPOB family condemns in totality the heinous acts carried out on May 8, 2025, along the Okigwe-Owerri Road, and we equally denounce the attempt by Amnesty International Nigeria to link IPOB and ESN to the violence,” the statement read.
IPOB claimed that the Nigerian government has repeatedly orchestrated violent incidents in the South East region since 2021 and then used compromised media outlets and groups like Amnesty International to falsely implicate IPOB. The statement cited previous events, including the attack on Owerri Prison, the murder of Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, and the enforcement of sit-at-home orders by alleged government-sponsored hoodlums, as examples of attempts to scapegoat IPOB without credible investigations.
The group further accused the Imo State government of forming armed militia under the guise of Ebubeagu and Asawana security outfits, which it said have been responsible for the extrajudicial killing of many Igbo youths. IPOB also referenced the military crackdown during the Biafra Heroes Day in Aba on May 30, 2024, claiming that four Igbo soldiers were deliberately sacrificed by the Nigerian military in a calculated operation meant to smear IPOB and ESN.
“This latest incident on May 8 is another episode in a long-running campaign of state-backed violence and media propaganda aimed at destroying IPOB’s reputation,” the group alleged. “It is disheartening that Amnesty International Nigeria, once considered a reputable human rights organization, has now become complicit in this agenda.”
IPOB argued that if Amnesty International were truly impartial, it would have called for an independent and international investigation into the Okigwe incident and other violent attacks in the region before attributing blame. The group said it has never targeted civilians and remains committed to protecting Biafran lives and properties, not harming them.
The statement concluded with a call for independent inquiries into all violent crimes in the South East region, including those allegedly carried out by Fulani terrorists, and a rejection of any form of media blackmail or extortion.
“Our resolve remains unshaken. We will not be silenced or intimidated. The only acceptable resolution to the Biafran agitation is through open dialogue or a referendum—not through violence, manipulation, or false flag operations,” IPOB declared.
