The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has reportedly suspended the Office of its Leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and the Director of Radio Biafra.
The group said it made the decision at a full-house meeting of its Directorate on Wednesday, it was reported.
It was contained in a statement signed by the Head of the Directorate of State of IPOB, Mazi Chikadibia Edoziem and issued on Thursday.
It said that the Directorate of State will now handle the affairs of the organisation and oversee the movement.
The group claimed IPOB was “formed and nurtured by a group of Biafrans in the Diaspora (not by any singular individual).”
It said no one had the power to disband the Directorate of State, which it called the group’s top leadership structure.
IPOB said the decision followed a review of intelligence reports pertaining to communication from Kanu in Sokoto prison.
It said it was “mindful that some unguarded communications from Sokoto prison to those in Biafraland has led to unwarranted arrests and death of IPOB family members in Biafraland.
The leadership also said that Kanu’s visitors and activities were being monitored by the Department of State Services.
IPOB Cautions Against Violence
The group said it feared reported plans by some to form a new militia, which it said could spark new violence in the area.
It added that the suspension was to “prevent unchecked actions, reckless assumption of authority and unguarded utterances from leading to reckless arrests, torture and needless death of Biafran youths.”
It added that any criminal activities in the name of the suspended office will no longer be blamed on IPOB.
“IPOB shall hence forward not be held accountable for actions of individuals or groups of Individuals without any active position within IPOB,” the statement added.
Kanu Reportedly Names New DOS Head
The development followed reports that Kanu had dissolved the third administration of the Directorate of Security.
He was also reported to have launched a fourth administration, appointing United States-based Mazi Chris Nwaọgụ as the new Head of the Directorate of State.
IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful was quoted to have said that Nwaọgụ was directed to take charge of the administration, coordination and day-to-day running of IPOB affairs under Kanu.
The Directorate of State was formed in 2012 to serve as the administrative arm of IPOB. It was previously headed by Dr Justin Akujieze in the United States, Mazi Uchenna Asiegbu in Spain, and Chika Edoziem in Switzerland, who was appointed in March 2017 when Kanu was detained earlier in Kuje Prison.