The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has issued a statement firmly denying any connection to the recent abduction of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State.
The proscribed separatist group also leveled severe allegations against the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, claiming he is weaponizing the security situation in the region for political leverage.
The group’s assertions, issued on Sunday, October 11, 2026, remain unverified, with no independent evidence or official law enforcement confirmation supporting the claims made against the state government.
In a press release signed by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the group stated that it “categorically dissociates” itself from the kidnapping incident along the Onitsha-Owerri highway axis. Powerful described attempts to link Biafra agitators to the crime as a deliberate campaign to demonize the movement.
”IPOB does not target civilians, students, or NYSC members,” the statement read. The group maintained that its campaign remains a political quest for self-determination through a referendum.
Citing reports from what it referred to as its internal intelligence arm (“M-Branch”), IPOB accused Governor Uzodinma of orchestrating staged rescues and leveraging security crises to position himself as an indispensable security ally to President Bola Tinubu.
Addressing the persistent insecurity in the South-East region, IPOB called for an open, independent international probe into the frequent abductions occurring along major transit corridors in Imo State.
The organisation urged investigators to trace the financial trail of alleged ransom payments to determine the beneficiaries behind the ongoing kidnapping operations in the state.
As of the time of reporting, the Imo State Government and law enforcement agencies have not formally responded to IPOB’s latest statements. Authorities have previously rejected similar accusations from the group, attributing the persistent regional insecurity to criminal elements and armed factions operating under the guise of agitation.
Security agencies continue their operations across Imo State to ensure the safe recovery of remaining victims and restore stability to the affected transit routes.
