By Chimdiogo Amuh 

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has refuted claims by the Enugu State Police Command linking the group to the killing of two police officers on January 15, 2026.

In a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB described the allegation as false and misleading, insisting it was part of a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of the pro-Biafra movement.

The group accused the police of prioritising extortion over the safety and welfare of their personnel, arguing that such practices expose officers to avoidable risks while on duty.

According to IPOB, neither the group nor its security wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), targets Nigerian security operatives. It maintained that IPOB has remained committed to a peaceful approach since its formation.

“IPOB and ESN operatives do not attack Nigerian security forces. Despite years of misinformation and slander by compromised and corrupt security agencies, IPOB has remained peaceful while working to protect Biafra territory from state-backed terrorism. ESN was established to counter deadly attacks by armed Fulani groups in the region,” the statement said.

The group further alleged that the Federal Government and security agencies routinely deploy propaganda to intimidate officers and falsely attribute criminal activities to IPOB and ESN.

IPOB urged the government to prioritise the protection of its personnel rather than creating an atmosphere of fear, adding that security operatives should not be used as tools in political or institutional schemes.

The organisation also claimed that insecurity in the South-East is largely fuelled by the actions of security agencies, alleging that several unresolved cases of killings, arson and violent attacks blamed on unidentified hoodlums were either carried out or enabled by the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other state actors.