The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has distanced itself from the recent purported declaration of a Biafran Republic by a faction of its members based in Finland, calling it a scam. IPOB emphasized that the move was a deliberate attempt to disrupt peace in Nigeria’s South-East and divert attention from the legitimate Biafran independence movement.

In a statement released on Sunday, IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, denounced the Finland-based group’s actions, labeling them as “criminals” who were using the Biafra cause for personal gain. He stressed that there was only one Biafran Republic declaration, made by late leader Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu in 1967, and no other declaration could be recognized.

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Powerful clarified that IPOB’s mission is focused on restoring the sovereignty of Biafra as declared by Ojukwu, not participating in any new, unauthorized declarations. He also condemned those involved in the Finland event, accusing them of being key figures behind the insecurity plaguing the South-East region. These individuals, he argued, aim to destabilize the region and undermine the genuine Biafran struggle.

In response to the media coverage, IPOB praised responsible organizations for ignoring the Finland event and reaffirmed its commitment to a peaceful restoration of Biafra through a United Nations-supervised referendum. The group warned that those using the Biafran cause for self-promotion would face consequences, with Powerful invoking the memory of Biafran martyrs in his condemnation.