By Obinna Uballa
Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has appealed to United States President Donald Trump to order an independent investigation into alleged killings and persecution of Christians and Igbo communities in the South East.
Kanu made the appeal in a letter dated November 6, 2025, which was transmitted through his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, to the U.S. Embassy in Abuja.
In the letter, Kanu referenced Trump’s recent remarks that the U.S. could take military action and suspend aid to Nigeria if the country fails to protect its Christian population. He said the statement rekindled hope among many who believe their plight has been ignored.
Kanu said Christians in the region are facing severe hardship and alleged that security operations have resulted in the deaths of peaceful worshippers and community members over the years. He cited reports by Amnesty International and findings from UN Special Rapporteurs to support his claims.
He also revisited his ongoing detention, noting that the Court of Appeal discharged and acquitted him in 2022, but he remains held by the Department of State Services. He argued that his continued detention violates both Nigerian law and international human rights standards.
Kanu asked the U.S. to lead a probe that would allow access to alleged mass grave sites, military records, and testimonies from survivors. He also called for emergency U.S. congressional hearings, potential sanctions against certain Nigerian officials under the Magnitsky Act, and support for a referendum on self-determination for the Igbo people.
The IPOB leader said a peaceful political solution is still possible, adding that he remains committed to dialogue and justice.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly dismissed allegations of ethnic or religious persecution, insisting that security operations in the South East are aimed at combating violent armed groups linked to attacks on civilians, security formations, and public institutions.
