The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has written an open letter to former U.S. President Donald Trump, alleging a systematic genocide against Christians, particularly in Nigeria’s Southeast.
In the letter, Kanu commended Trump’s recent remarks warning that the United States was prepared to take action if Nigeria failed to protect its Christian population. He described the statement as “a beacon of hope” for millions of persecuted believers across the country.
Kanu Raises Alarm Over Killings in the Southeast
According to Kanu, the killings of Christians are no longer confined to northern Nigeria but have now spread into Igbo communities in the Southeast.
He wrote:
“This genocide is not confined to the North—it has metastasized into the Igbo heartland, where Judeo-Christians are being systematically exterminated under the guise of counter-terrorism.”
The IPOB leader, who identified himself as a “practicing Jew” and “believer in Judeo-Christian values,” told Trump that he had survived several assassination attempts allegedly orchestrated by the Nigerian government.
Kanu also recounted his arrest and extradition from Kenya in 2021, describing it as an “extraordinary rendition” that violated international law, citing a Kenyan court ruling that declared the operation illegal.
Accusations Against the Nigerian Government
In the letter, Kanu accused the Nigerian authorities of weaponizing insecurity to label IPOB as a terrorist organization, despite what he described as a lack of evidence.
He alleged that:
IPOB was declared a terrorist group without proof of violence (a claim he said was confirmed by a 2021 U.S. State Department report). State-backed militias have been behind “unknown gunmen” attacks, which are then blamed on IPOB. Over 2,000 Igbo youths have been killed in military operations between 2021 and 2025.
“This is Rwanda’s playbook—create chaos, blame the victim, justify extermination,” Kanu wrote.
Appeal for U.S. Intervention
Kanu called on the United States to investigate the alleged atrocities and hold the Nigerian government accountable, warning that continued silence could lead to a wider humanitarian crisis.
He reaffirmed IPOB’s commitment to non-violence, describing the group as a peaceful movement advocating for the right to life, faith, and self-determination.
