SILENCE IS BETRAYAL: No Igbo Governor Has Condemned the Desecration of St. Joseph Catholic Church
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the Enugu State Government and the Nigerian Army of enabling insecurity in the South-East, alleging that the recent attack on a Catholic church in Udi Local Government Area was part of a broader campaign against the region.
The allegations were contained in the first weekly address delivered on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, by Mazi Chris Nwaọgụ, Head of the 4th Administration of IPOB's Directorate of State, who said the address marked the beginning of a regular engagement with supporters on developments concerning the group's activities and its campaign for the release of its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Enugu Church Attack
Speaking on the attack at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Inoyi, Affa community, Udi Local Government Area, which occurred during Mass on Sunday, August 2, Nwaọgụ described the incident as a "theatre of terror."
According to him, armed men invaded the church, dragged worshippers from the altar, including a seminarian, while distraught women gathered outside in the rain protesting the deteriorating security situation. He said one abducted victim had been found while two others remained in captivity.
Allegations Against Enugu Government and Nigerian Army
The IPOB official alleged that the Enugu State Government, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, was creating conditions that allowed Fulani herders to attack communities across the South-East.
He claimed that authorities were deliberately demonising the Eastern Security Network (ESN), which he described as the group's security arm, while failing to confront what he called the "real perpetrators" of violence.
Nwaọgụ further alleged that the government's failure to publicly condemn the church attack amounted to complicity and argued that the assault was facilitated by the weakening of community-based security structures that ESN had previously maintained.
Defence of ESN
The IPOB leader praised ESN, saying its operatives continued to protect communities, churches, farms and homes throughout Biafraland.
He maintained that ESN had prevented larger-scale attacks in the region but argued that the group's operations were being undermined by government efforts to label it a terrorist organisation.
He commended the operatives for what he described as their sacrifices in protecting local communities.
Claims Over Nnamdi Kanu's Detention
Nwaọgụ argued that the current security challenges in the South-East were linked to the continued detention of IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
According to him, criminal elements had exploited Kanu's absence following his arrest and extraordinary rendition in June 2021.
He also referenced previous incidents, including killings at Nkpọ, Igweocha, National High School Aba and the military operation at Kanu's residence in Afaraukwu Ibeku, questioning the justification for those actions.
The IPOB official further argued that Kanu's detention remained unlawful, maintaining that the charge against him failed to disclose any offence recognised under Nigerian law and citing Supreme Court pronouncements on the importance of a valid charge sheet in criminal proceedings.
Radio Biafra Homeland to Go Live
The organisation also announced the launch of a new broadcasting platform, Radio Biafra Homeland, stating that it would begin live transmissions later this week via www.radiobiafrahomeland.com.
Nwaọgụ said the platform represented what he described as the authentic voice of the movement following internal disputes that led to the expulsion of members from the previous administration.
He maintained that any platform operating under the name "Radio Biafra" without the word "Homeland" was not affiliated with the current leadership.
According to him, expelled members now operate under a separate platform known as the Igwebuike Group, while IPOB continues under what he described as its renewed 4th Administration. He stressed that unity behind Nnamdi Kanu remained non-negotiable.
Planne
d World Press Conference
