IPOB thanks Mark Arnold, US Congress for ‘bold intervention’ on Nigeria, demands referendum
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) issued a statement on Thursday, March 26, 2026, praising former US Mayor Mark Arnold and members of the US Congress for their recent commentary on Nigeria’s political and security situation. The group, through its spokesperson Emma Powerful, described the interventions as “fearless” moves that have brought international attention to the struggles of indigenous populations in the country.
The commendation follows a viral social media post by Mark Arnold, who alleged that the British government opposes Biafran independence to avoid paying reparations. In his assessment, Arnold claimed these reparations for past actions against the Biafran people would amount to approximately $6 trillion. IPOB highlighted this as a key reason for the continued international “complicity” regarding their push for self-determination.
Simultaneously, the group expressed gratitude to a group of US congressmen, led by Riley Moore, who have been vocal about what they describe as a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria. IPOB’s statement asserted that these warnings validate the long-standing claims of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, regarding the safety of Judeo-Christian communities. The group noted, “Your bold stand has pierced the veil of international silence and complicity that has long shielded the systematic slaughter of Judeo-Christian communities across Nigeria.”
IPOB also used the opportunity to defend the activities of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), claiming the unit has been the only effective defense against “killer herdsmen” in the South-East. They argued that while other regions, including the Middle Belt and parts of the West, are facing increased insecurity, their “fortress” remains secure due to the visionary leadership of Kanu, who remains in detention.
Reiterating their core objective, the organization insisted that a United Nations-supervised referendum is the only path to a sustainable peace. They warned that Nigeria is a “failed experiment” and that attempting to suppress the demand for self-determination through military force will only accelerate a total national collapse. The statement maintained, “The singular demand of IPOB remains a peaceful, internationally supervised referendum… This is not negotiable.”
The group concluded by calling on its members worldwide to intensify their “diplomatic offensive” and ensure the Biafran conversation remains a priority in global halls of power. By aligning themselves with these Western voices, IPOB aims to shift the narrative from a local internal conflict to an international human rights and decolonization issue. They ended with a stark warning to the international community: “The time for half-measures is over.”
