The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared South-East Nigeria safe for Christmas, urging residents and Igbo people living abroad to return home in large numbers.
DDM gathered that the group made this announcement through a statement signed by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, on Sunday, December 7, 2025.
IPOB assured that security across the region has improved significantly, with its security arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), and volunteers committed to safeguarding residents and visitors throughout the yuletide season.
According to the statement, the South-East remains “Nigeria’s most tranquil area” despite what IPOB described as attempts to create “sponsored instability” over the past four years.
The group criticized unnamed political actors and criminal groups for attempting to spread fear but emphasized that these efforts had failed.
“Despite all the antics and deadly deeds of hyenas and jackals, the landowners remain present to defend and hold onto their territory,” the statement read.
IPOB encouraged Ndigbo and their friends to experience the warmth of Igboland during Christmas, describing the region as the “Land of the Rising Sun.”
The group dismissed reports circulating online about a kidnapping near Ngor Okpala along the Owerri–Aba Expressway, clarifying that the footage was from an old incident.
IPOB added that ESN operatives frequently conduct security operations discreetly and warned that the network has no official social media accounts.
“The absence of continuous killings and abductions in the Eastern region serves as evidence that there are Lions guarding the Land,” the statement said.
The group also accused the Nigerian government and some “self-serving Igbo politicians” of failed attempts to dismantle IPOB and its security structure.
IPOB described the Biafra restoration movement as a “sacred initiative” that cannot be suppressed, reaffirming its commitment to protecting the region and its people.
In its Christmas message, IPOB urged the Igbo people to travel home confidently and encouraged them to consider bringing investments into the South-East.
“Do not allow anyone or the government to use fear tactics to make you abandon Biafra Land,” the group advised, wishing travelers safety across land, sea, and air.
Background findings by DDM show that IPOB has maintained a strong presence in the South-East for years, leveraging local networks to enforce security while countering both government and criminal threats.
Observers note that such statements, particularly during the festive season, are intended to reassure residents, encourage economic activity, and counter negative media narratives about the region’s safety.
The IPOB Christmas advisory highlights ongoing tensions between the group, state authorities, and media portrayals, underscoring the contested nature of security and governance in Nigeria’s South-East.
For now, IPOB’s call aims to restore confidence in the region and assert its influence among local communities and the Igbo diaspora.
