Owerri, Nigeria – The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called on youths from the South-East to boycott the ongoing Nigerian Army recruitment exercise, warning that joining the military could expose them to grave risks, especially in insurgency-plagued regions of the country.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB alleged that the Nigerian military has historically shown ethnic bias, often deploying Igbo recruits and other southern soldiers to volatile zones in the North, particularly areas ravaged by terrorist groups such as Boko Haram.
IPOB claimed that numerous soldiers from the South have been casualties of the conflict in the North, pointing to past instances where soldiers fighting insurgency expressed frustration over poor welfare conditions. “We have seen viral videos and reports of soldiers lamenting lack of adequate allowances, food, medical care, and equipment. These young men are often used as scapegoats in the complex web of terrorism and political interests involving Nigerian politicians and their Western collaborators,” the group alleged.
According to the statement, IPOB accused the Federal Government of compensating terrorists under the guise of rehabilitation, while soldiers who risk their lives receive little to no recognition or reward. “We have evidence of military barracks and police stations overtaken by terrorists in the North. Yet, the same government offers cash, jobs, and scholarships to the so-called repentant terrorists while neglecting the sacrifices of its own troops,” the statement added.
The group advised young Igbo men to turn to agriculture and other local ventures rather than enlisting in what it described as a “system rigged against them.” IPOB further questioned the fate of Igbo youths who joined the army in recent years, stating that many have either died, disappeared, or are languishing in military detention for demanding fairness and justice.
“No Biafran youth should allow himself to be used as a tool by the Nigerian government, ECOWAS, or foreign powers against the Sahel region. If you enlist, your name will be regretted. You may be handed over to terrorists, killed by the state, or used as a sacrificial lamb in the name of national service,” Powerful warned.
He also urged youths to reflect on what he described as “the systemic marginalisation and betrayal of Igbo soldiers,” stressing that those who survive military service often return home either physically incapacitated or dishonoured. “If you survive, you return in shame without benefits. Ask those used in proxy wars if they were ever compensated,” he said.
IPOB concluded by appealing to the youths’ sense of identity and cultural pride, emphasizing the need to reject institutions it claims have failed to protect and empower soldiers from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
“Visualize your future as an Igbo soldier — your bravery is seen as a threat. Your fight against terrorists will be interpreted as a battle against the North. Return to your roots. Nigeria has never been fair to its soldiers, especially those from the East,” the group stated.
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