The Nigerian government, in collaboration with the military, has declared five persons wanted in connection with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group designated as a terrorist organization by the Nigerian government in 2017.
The individuals, all from Abia State, have been linked to separatist activities and the recent unrest in the South-East.
According to military spokespersons, this move follows a joint operation conducted by the Nigerian Army on January 2, 2025, which led to the death of a known IPOB commander, Mr. Uchenne Chinemeren, popularly known as “Bam Bam,” and the arrest of several suspected IPOB members.
The individuals declared wanted are:
Mr. Alazie Michael Uche, from Isiala-Ngwa South LGA, Abia State – currently residing in the United States.
Mr. Ibezim Victor
Engr. Obasi Franklin Nnadozie, from Isiala-Ngwa North LGA, Abia State – currently residing in Sweden.
Engr. Obasi Franklin Nnadozie
Dr. Agbara Ikechukwu, from Isiala-Ngwa North LGA, Abia State – currently residing in Finland.
Mr. Egesi Victor Kelechi, from Umuahia North LGA, Abia State – currently residing in Nigeria.
Mr. Egesi Victor Kelechi
Mr. Ibezim Victor, from Ikwuano LGA, Abia State – currently residing in Nigeria.
According to the Defence Headquarters, Mr. Obasi Franklin Nnadozie and Mr. Alazie Michael Uche have been identified as key financial sponsors of IPOB activities in Abia State.
Security agencies report that both men have been under surveillance due to intelligence gathered from previously arrested IPOB members.
Mr. Obasi Franklin was previously declared wanted in 2018 for an unrelated crime and has remained on the security watchlist. Authorities also confirmed that Mr. Egesi Victor and Mr. Ibezim Victor have already been apprehended by the Nigerian Police.
While IPOB maintains that it is a non-violent organization advocating for the self-determination of the Igbo people in Nigeria’s South-East, the Nigerian government continues to assert that the group, alongside its security arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), has been responsible for violent activities threatening national security.
Security operations in the region remain ongoing as efforts continue to dismantle what authorities describe as an underground network supporting separatist movements.
