The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has cautioned traditional rulers, political leaders, and youth organizations in the South-East against mobilising young people in the region for enlistment into the Nigerian Army, warning that such actions could amount to sacrificing Igbo youths in what it describes as Nigeria’s proxy wars.
The warning was issued on Tuesday in a statement by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, who accused the Nigerian military of secretly working with local leaders to convince young Igbo men and women to join the armed forces under what the group called “false pretences.”
“The Nigerian Army has begun employing Igbo individuals to mislead Ndigbo into enrolling their children in the Nigerian Army,” the statement read.
IPOB alleged that recent meetings had been held between military officials and community influencers in the South-East to promote recruitment drives. According to the group, the aim is to use South-East youths as “sacrificial lambs” in the ongoing security conflicts across Nigeria, particularly in the insurgency-hit North.
The pro-Biafran group claimed a sharp disparity in recruitment quotas between regions, stating that while 3,000 positions were allocated to applicants from Kaduna and other northern states, each South-East state was reportedly offered just 200 slots. This, IPOB argues, reflects systemic marginalization and exclusion.
“The question is, if the Nigerian Army presents a solid job prospect, will the Nigerian government or its violent military provide Igbo youths with such an opportunity?” the group asked.
IPOB further questioned the government’s commitment to the welfare of fallen soldiers, particularly those of Igbo origin, and recalled historical grievances, including the betrayal of Igbo soldiers during and after the 1966 coup.
The statement also condemned past and ongoing military operations in the South-East, characterizing them as deliberate attacks aimed at population reduction.
“We caution Ndigbo against encouraging and campaigning for Igbo youths to enlist to combat state and foreign-sponsored terrorists who have more resources than the Nigerian Army,” Emma Powerful warned.
The group urged South-East leaders to rather advocate for opportunities in sectors like NNPC, CBN, EFCC, Customs, and other federal parastatals, which they claim offer better prospects for youth development and safety.
IPOB concluded by threatening to hold accountablle any individual or institution found actively mobilising youths for what it described as a “proxy war” under the ECOWAS standby force operations in the Sahel region.
