The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly rejected Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s assertion that more than 30,000 people have been killed in the South-East as a result of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s activism, describing the allegation as baseless and politically motivated.
Kalu, who represents Abia North in the Senate, made the claim during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday.
He argued that the activities of the proscribed IPOB movement had triggered widespread violence, business losses, and thousands of fatalities across the region.
“Do you know that over 30,000 Igbos were killed?” Kalu said.
“People who own shops have lost their businesses. I used to sell my own manufactured products in Aba, so I know the numbers.”
In a statement issued on Tuesday, IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, challenged the senator to provide verifiable evidence.
He condemned Kalu’s comments as irresponsible and aimed at maligning both Kanu and the organisation.
“The global family of IPOB denounces the false and reckless claims made by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu,” Powerful said.
“His remarks stem from a malicious intent and the actions of someone willing to sacrifice his own people for personal political gain.”
IPOB maintained that it has remained a non-violent movement despite numerous military raids and operations targeting its members.
The group insisted that insecurity and violence in the South-East were orchestrated by government-backed forces, not by IPOB or its security wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Powerful called for an independent investigation into the violence recorded in the region since 2015, arguing that the Federal Government has resisted such inquiries because the findings would contradict its narrative.
“IPOB urges Senator Kalu to present credible proof of his assertions,” the statement said.
“We are not responsible for the death of any Igbo person or the destruction of businesses in the East.”
Kalu’s remarks come in the aftermath of Nnamdi Kanu’s recent conviction on terrorism-related charges.
The former Abia State governor reiterated his stance that a political solution, rather than continuous agitation, is necessary to resolve the ongoing tension in the South-East.
Referencing the proposals of Bianca Ojukwu and Mascot Kalu, he urged stakeholders to “stop the noise” and work toward an agreement with the Federal Government.
