Biafra Movement Welcomes Nigeria’s ‘Country Of Particular Concern’ Status, Calls For International Justice On Atrocities

 

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has expressed strong support for the recent decision of the United States government to classify Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged violations of religious freedom and human rights abuses. The group described the move as a significant moral victory for the oppressed and a long-overdue acknowledgment of systemic persecution in the country.

IPOB’s reaction came through a statement issued on Sunday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, who said the group views the U.S. designation as an international validation of what it has consistently raised about the Nigerian state’s complicity in widespread killings, particularly in the South-East region.

According to Powerful, the decision by Washington aligns with an earlier judgment by a Canadian court that labeled Nigeria’s two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as organizations enabling terrorism. He said this classification underscores a pattern of violence and political intolerance that has worsened over the years.

Powerful commended U.S. President Donald Trump, Senator Ted Cruz, and other American advocates who have reportedly pushed for global attention on Nigeria’s growing record of religious and ethnic persecution. IPOB noted that their efforts helped highlight what it called the Nigerian state’s involvement in enabling attacks against Christian and Igbo communities, as well as other marginalized groups.

Describing the designation as more than a political statement, the separatist group said it signifies “a moral triumph for justice, truth, and human life.” It added that the international community’s recognition of these issues could help prevent further atrocities that have claimed thousands of lives in different parts of Nigeria.

Powerful emphasized that the decision by the United States should not mark the end of international engagement with Nigeria’s internal crises. He insisted that there is a pressing need for an independent international investigation into the continuing wave of violence, kidnappings, and extrajudicial killings in the South-East. IPOB believes such an inquiry would expose the networks of perpetrators, financiers, and political figures allegedly responsible for fueling insecurity in the region.

He argued that accountability must go beyond statements and symbolic actions, noting that the findings of such investigations could form the foundation for lasting justice and reconciliation. “The truth must be uncovered for peace to have any chance of taking root in our land,” Powerful asserted.

The statement also extended appreciation to Biafrans in the diaspora, particularly organizations like the American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID), Ambassadors for Self-Determination, and Rising Sun. IPOB credited these groups for their relentless advocacy and diplomatic engagement, which it said contributed to the United States’ recent move. It hailed their courage for continuously speaking against what it described as tyranny and genocide against the Igbo people and Christian communities in Northern Nigeria.

Powerful added that the recognition by the U.S. serves as encouragement for those who have suffered under policies and actions that target specific ethnic and religious groups. He expressed optimism that the move would eventually bring relief to other regions like the Middle Belt, which has also endured years of violence and neglect.

IPOB reaffirmed its belief that this diplomatic milestone brings the struggle for freedom and self-determination closer to realization. The group said the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern is a crucial step toward exposing the “structural injustices” embedded within what it called the Lugardian creation of 1914.

The statement ended by urging all members of the IPOB family to remain steadfast in their pursuit of liberty and justice, while maintaining discipline and unity. It described the moment as proof that persistence in truth always prevails, even in the face of intimidation and repression.

“The courage and determination of Biafrans across the world have made this possible. Together, we have shown that when truth is spoken consistently, the world will eventually listen. The journey is far from over, but this recognition marks a turning point in the global understanding of our plight,” the group declared.

Through its latest position, IPOB continues to frame its campaign not merely as a political movement but as a struggle for human dignity and survival amid what it portrays as state-enabled persecution. The group maintains that until justice is delivered and the lives of the victims of violence are honored, Nigeria’s unity and stability will remain fragile.

The U.S. government has yet to issue further details on the implications of the designation, but the decision already resonates across international platforms where Nigeria’s human rights record has increasingly come under scrutiny. IPOB’s response, laced with both gratitude and urgency, signals its intention to keep international pressure on Abuja to address the issues of systemic violence and accountability that have haunted the nation for decades.