The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has suspended Nnamdi Kanu indefinitely and removed him as director of Radio Biafra.

The group announced the decision in a statement issued on Thursday by Chikadibia Edoziem, head of IPOB’s directorate of state (DOS).

According to IPOB, the move is aimed at protecting the organisation, preventing violence and strengthening its operations.

DOS cites intelligence report

Edoziem said the DOS reached the decision after reviewing an intelligence report from IPOB’s M-Branch.

The report allegedly detailed a meeting involving Kanu and officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) in Sokoto prison.

Furthermore, IPOB said Kanu’s communications from prison have exposed some members to arrests and deaths.

The group added that security agencies closely monitor his movements and communications.

IPOB raises concerns over violence

Meanwhile, Edoziem alleged that some individuals are planning to create a new militia and unleash fresh violence in the south-east.

According to him, the alleged plan is designed to weaken IPOB and dismantle its leadership structure.

Consequently, the DOS said it decided to suspend Kanu to prevent criminal elements from acting in the group’s name.

The organisation also cited what it described as “reckless assumption of authority” and “unguarded utterances” as reasons for the action.

Group distances itself from actions taken in Kanu’s name

In addition, IPOB said it will no longer be held responsible for actions carried out in the name of the suspended office of the leader.

“Any such crime or criminal activity taken in the name of the suspended office of the leader shall not be attributed to IPOB,” the statement said.

The group added that it would not accept responsibility for actions carried out by unauthorised individuals or groups.

Furthermore, IPOB warned that people claiming legitimacy from Kanu’s suspended office do not represent the movement.

‘No individual can dissolve IPOB’

The group also stressed that IPOB remains a self-determination movement founded and sustained by Biafrans in the diaspora.

According to Edoziem, no individual has the authority to dissolve the organisation or its central leadership structure.

He said the DOS remains the highest decision-making body of the movement.

Kanu serving life sentence

Kanu is currently serving a life sentence for terrorism-related offences.

In November 2025, James Omotosho, judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, sentenced the IPOB leader to life imprisonment on four counts.

The court also handed him 20 years imprisonment on one count and five years on another.