The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has advised youths in Nigeria’s South-East to avoid joining the Nigerian Army. The group says young people should instead consider building their future through farming and other peaceful means in their communities.
IPOB, through its spokesperson Emma Powerful, raised concerns over what it described as systemic mistreatment of Igbo recruits in the Nigerian military. The group claims that many Igbo soldiers are being sent to extremely dangerous parts of the country, especially areas in the North where terrorist groups like Boko Haram operate.
“The global family of IPOB once again urges Biafran youths to steer clear of the ongoing Nigerian Army recruitment,” the statement read. “Before you consider enlisting, ask yourself: what happened to those who joined a few years ago? Many have fallen victim to Boko Haram and other terrorist groups operating in the North.”
IPOB notes that past recruits have ended up facing poor treatment and unfair deployments. The group pointed to reports and viral videos showing Nigerian soldiers crying out for better support. These soldiers reportedly lack enough medical care, proper food, and adequate protective equipment.
IPOB also claims that the Nigerian government is using soldiers as pawns in what it described as hidden agreements with foreign allies. “We have evidence of military barracks and police stations in the North being overtaken by terrorists,” it said. The group also noted that some known terrorists have allegedly been rewarded and recruited into the same security forces, under the cover of being “repentant.”
The group further claimed that many Igbo youths who joined the army in recent years have either died or returned home with serious injuries or trauma. “No Biafran youth should allow themselves to become a tool in the hands of the Federal Government, ECOWAS, or Western imperialists, to be used against the people of the Sahel,” Powerful said.
Instead of joining the military, IPOB is asking young people to go back to their roots and take up farming. They argue that this will not only help the region’s economy but also protect young lives from unnecessary harm. “Just imagine what awaits you as an Igbo soldier. Your success will be seen as a threat to the Nigerian state. Your fight against insurgents will be misrepresented as a war against the North,” the group warned.
The group concluded by repeating its stance that the army is filled with ethnic bias and called on Igbo youths to reject military recruitment. “We have warned our people before, and we’re doing so again—do not join the Nigerian Army,” the statement said.
