The Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced the indefinite suspension of the office of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra and the position of Director of Radio Biafra, positions previously held by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Directorate, following a full house meeting on 17th June 2026, said the decision forms part of ongoing efforts to reposition and strengthen the Biafran self-determination movement, making it more responsive to its core objectives.

The statement emphasised that IPOB is a collective self-determination movement formed and nurtured by Biafrans in the Diaspora, rather than by any single individual. It stressed that no individual has the authority to dissolve the Directorate of State, which remains the apex leadership organ of the movement. Any claim of dissolution of the Directorate was described as “ab initio null and void” and of no effect.

The Directorate cited security concerns as a major factor in the decision. It referenced intelligence reports regarding meetings between Nigerian security agencies (DSS and NIA) and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in Sokoto prison, noting that all his communications and activities are closely monitored. The statement expressed worry that unguarded communications from prison have led to arrests and deaths of IPOB members in Biafraland.

It further highlighted concerns over alleged plans by certain individuals to establish a new militia aimed at instigating violence in the region, and moves perceived as attempting to dissolve the movement through the undermining of its apex leadership structure.

In light of these developments, the Directorate resolved to suspend the offices to:

• Safeguard IPOB operations and protect members, particularly those in Biafraland.
• Prevent security breaches and potential emergencies.
• Stop any criminal activities or violence being carried out under the authority of the suspended leadership position.
• Reaffirm IPOB’s commitment to a peaceful and non-violent pursuit of self-determination.

The statement added that any crimes or actions taken in the name of the now-suspended office of the Leader will not be attributed to IPOB, but solely to the individuals involved. The movement will only be accountable for actions authorised by the Directorate of State.

The announcement was signed by Mazi Chikadibia Edoziem, Head of the Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

This development marks a significant internal restructuring within the pro-Biafra movement amid ongoing tensions with Nigerian authorities.

Margaret Adeseye, Controller General Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS)said that the Service has successfully extinguished a fire outbreak that occurred on the 3rd floor of the Polaris Bank Building, located at 61/65 Broad Street, Lagos Island.

The incident was reported at approximately 11:33 hours and involved a stationary saloon car parked on the 3rd floor of the 17-storey building, which serves as a parking facility.

Firefighters from the Ebute Elefun and Sari Iganmu Fire Stations promptly responded to the emergency and swiftly contained the fire, preventing it from spreading to other vehicles and sections of the building.

The only damage recorded was to the affected vehicle and its immediate surroundings. No casualties or injuries were reported.

The firefighting operation has been successfully concluded, and normalcy has been fully restored to the area.

Photo: Diezani Alison-Madueke

Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been acquitted of all six bribery charges brought against her in the United Kingdom.

A jury at the Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday cleared the former minister after a 12-week trial in which she faced five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.

Alison-Madueke, 65, who served as petroleum minister under former President Goodluck Jonathan between 2010 and 2015, had denied all the allegations.

The jury returned its verdict after 46 hours of deliberations.

Prosecutors had alleged that Alison-Madueke received benefits from oil and gas industry figures seeking favourable treatment in the award of contracts in Nigeria during her tenure.

The prosecution told the court that she lived a luxurious lifestyle in London and allegedly benefited from cash payments, private jet travel, chauffeur-driven vehicles, luxury shopping expenses and high-value properties.

The alleged benefits included £100,000 in cash, more than £2 million spent on luxury shopping at Harrods, £4.6 million for property refurbishments and payments for household staff at luxury homes in London and Buckinghamshire.

In her defence, Alison-Madueke maintained that she neither requested nor accepted bribes and did not abuse her office.

Her legal team argued that the allegations were politically motivated and that investigators had misrepresented payments and benefits linked to her.The trial, presided over by Justice Justine Thornton, focused on allegations said to have occurred between 2011 and 2015.

Alison’s faced up to 10 years in prison and an unlimited fine if convicted under UK anti-bribery laws.

She was tried alongside oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde and her brother, Doye Agama.

Ayinde faced one count of bribery relating to Alison-Madueke and another count involving the bribery of a foreign public official, while Agama was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery over alleged payments linked to his church.Both men denied the allegations and were also acquitted by the jury.