More than 700 people have been killed since 2021 due to separatist sit-at-home protests enforced by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Nigeria’s southeast, according to a new report by intelligence firm SBM Intelligence. The protests began following the arrest of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently on trial in Abuja on terrorism-related charges. The weekly shutdowns—typically held on Mondays and court appearance days—aim to press for the secession of the Igbo-majority region, which briefly became the Republic of Biafra during the 1967–1970 civil war that claimed over 1 million lives.
Key Facts from the Report
- 700+ deaths are linked to violence from both IPOB enforcers and security forces, often involving masked assailants described as “unknown gunmen.”
- Public compliance has dropped from 82.6% in 2021 to 29% in 2024, with most citizens staying home out of fear rather than support.
- The protests have caused an estimated ₦7.6 trillion (approx. $4.79 billion) in economic losses from 2021 to 2023.
- The group denies responsibility for the killings and accuses the Nigerian government of “blackmail and demonization.”
- Authorities blame IPOB for recent violence, including the May 2025 killing of 30 travelers in the region.
Despite IPOB’s attempts to distance itself from violent factions, security forces maintain that the group’s activities are linked to regional instability. The situation remains tense ahead of Biafra Heroes Day on May 30, marking the 58th anniversary of the declaration of the Republic of Biafra.
