Nigerian separatist leaders clash over prison recruitment claims

MASSOB founder Ralph Uwazuruike accused IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, who is serving a life sentence in Sokoto prison, of continuing to recruit Igbo youths for violent activities. Uwazuruike said the alleged recruitment has already led to the deaths of several young men and urged leaders of the Igbo community and Ohanaeze Ndigbo to travel to Sokoto to warn Kanu to stop.

He highlighted Kanu’s recent restructuring of IPOB from detention, including the appointment of a new Directorate of State and a vague “100‑man project.” Uwazuruike called for amnesty and rehabilitation for IPOB members willing to renounce violence, arguing that similar programmes exist for repentant militants in northern Nigeria. Social‑media videos of hooded militants claiming loyalty to Kanu and threatening renewed attacks in the South‑East have circulated alongside these accusations.