In a bold statement shared on its official X handle, Sahara Reporters revealed that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has issued a stern warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, cautioning against the establishment of cattle ranches in the Southeast region of Nigeria. The pro-Biafra group unequivocally rejected what it described as “moves to conquer Igboland,” sparking fresh debates on regional autonomy, resource allocation, and cultural preservation.
The IPOB, a separatist group advocating for the independence of the Biafra region, has long accused successive Nigerian governments of marginalizing the Igbo people. This latest announcement reflects the group’s deep-seated resistance to policies perceived as encroaching on the cultural and economic interests of the Southeast.
According to IPOB, the proposed cattle ranches represent an attempt to impose external control over the region under the guise of agricultural development. The group claims that such initiatives are thinly veiled strategies to undermine the traditional landownership systems in the Southeast, paving the way for what they describe as “a systematic conquest of Igboland.”
The controversial proposal has reignited concerns over the lingering tensions between pastoralist communities, predominantly of Fulani heritage, and agrarian regions across Nigeria. IPOB insists that such policies threaten not only the livelihoods of local farmers but also the sanctity of ancestral lands that are integral to Igbo identity.
In its statement, IPOB accused President Tinubu’s government of insensitivity, urging the administration to focus on policies that address the underlying grievances of all Nigerian regions rather than imposing projects viewed as divisive. The group also called on Southeast governors and traditional leaders to resist the proposal, warning that any collaboration with such initiatives would be regarded as a betrayal of the Igbo people.
The announcement has drawn reactions from across the country, with some supporting IPOB’s stance as a legitimate defense of regional interests, while others view the group’s opposition as an impediment to national development.
This development comes at a time when President Tinubu’s administration is grappling with economic challenges, security concerns, and growing regional agitations. How the presidency responds to IPOB’s warning will likely set the tone for its broader engagement with Nigeria’s restive regions.
For now, IPOB’s message is clear: any attempt to establish cattle ranches in the Southeast will be met with staunch resistance, as the group vows to protect what it sees as the dignity and autonomy of Igboland.
Stay tuned as the story unfolds.
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