Indigenous People of Biafra
Headquarters | London |
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Website | http://www.ipob.org/ |
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is an association that represents the indigenous ethnic groups constituting what was Biafra during the civil war and prior to the colonial era of that region of Nigeria. The organisation is led by Nnamdi Kanu, a United Kingdom-based political activist who has been illegally detained by the Nigerian government since October 2015 despite court orders for his release.[1][2]
Activities
It peacefully agitates for restoration of the sovereignty of the indigenous peoples of Biafra as a separate republic from Nigeria. It advocates separation along precolonial lines which will consist indigenous peoples of the South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria. It believes that the lack of common values between Biafra and the other parts of Nigeria makes it impossible to have a workable union. It has remained very peaceful in its effort at restoring Biafra. As is the case with many post colonial states in Black Africa, the Nigerian state has descended heavily on the members with little concern for its peaceful stance. Nigeria maintains that the organisation is illegal and pursues an unlawful secessionist aim that threatens the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
The group is also known for it's globe-wide rallies to create awareness towards the agitation on Biafra. One of such rallies took place in Venice, Italy on October 1, 2016, during the 56th Independence anniversary of Nigeria.[3]
Associations
IPOB is a member of the Organisation of Emerging African States which represents indigenous African states that are agitating for the independence post the colonial era. It is also one or many organisations that is agitation for the self-determination of the people of Biafra and restoration of the Biafra, including the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra MASSOB, the Biafra Zionist Movement (BZM) and the Lower Niger Congress (LNC).
See also
- Radio Biafra
- Republic of Biafra
- Nigerian Civil War
- Igbo people
- Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta
- Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force
References
- ↑ "Court Orders Kanu Release From Detention", "Vanguard News," 17 December 2015
- ↑ "Magistrate Court Struck Out Charges Against Nnamdi Kanu", "IBTimes" 16 December 2015
- ↑ http://www.somtoo.com/2016/10/biafrans-protest-in-italy-on-nigerian.html