The family of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has issued a public warning over what it describes as a coordinated attempt to impersonate the detained pro-Biafra agitator on social media platforms.
In a statement released on Thursday, the family alleged that multiple fake accounts bearing Kanu’s name have surfaced on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, engaging members of the public and circulating messages purportedly linked to the IPOB leader.
The statement, signed by Prince Emmanuel Kanu on behalf of the Okwu-Kanu family, warned that the accounts pose serious security and reputational risks, both to Kanu and to supporters of the Biafran self-determination movement.
Family Denies Any Online Presence
According to the family, Kanu has no social media presence whatsoever since his arrest and detention in 2021. They stressed that any account claiming to post personal messages, location updates, or political directives in his name is fraudulent.
“Since his illegal rendition and detention in June 2021, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has had no active or verified online presence on any social media platform,” the statement said.
The family specifically named Facebook and Instagram as platforms where impersonation attempts are most prevalent, noting that some of the pages use official-looking logos and list locations such as Nairobi or Sokoto to appear credible.
Allegation of State-Sponsored Disinformation
In a strong claim, the family alleged that the fake accounts are part of a sustained deceptive operation allegedly orchestrated by agents of the Nigerian government and their collaborators.
According to the statement, the alleged objectives of the impersonation include:
- Harvesting personal information and contact details from unsuspecting followers
- Spreading disinformation aimed at damaging the image of Kanu and IPOB
- Monitoring or provoking supporters for possible harassment, surveillance, or arrest
The family warned that engagement with such accounts could expose individuals to serious risks, particularly in what they described as an atmosphere of repression surrounding the Biafran agitation.
Public Safety Warning Issued
Describing the development as a public safety concern, the Kanu family urged Nigerians and IPOB supporters worldwide to exercise caution online.
“We strongly advise the public not to follow, like, comment on, share, or engage with any page claiming to represent Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” the statement said.
They also called on social media users to immediately unfollow and report suspicious pages as impersonation or scam accounts, urging platforms to take swift action.
Official Channels Identified
To avoid confusion, the family directed supporters to rely only on verified IPOB communication channels, particularly Radio Biafra and other trusted media affiliates recognised by the movement.
They emphasised that no individual message, fundraising appeal, or political directive attributed to Kanu online should be considered authentic.
“Anyone who chooses to interact with these fake pages does so at their own risk,” the family warned, adding that exposure of personal details could have “severe consequences.”
Background: Kanu’s Detention and Ongoing Case
Nnamdi Kanu has been in detention since June 2021 following his arrest abroad and return to Nigeria under circumstances his supporters describe as illegal rendition. His continued detention and trial have remained a flashpoint in Nigeria’s South-East, where sit-at-home orders, protests, and security tensions have periodically flared.
IPOB has consistently maintained that Kanu is committed to a peaceful, non-violent pursuit of self-determination, a position reiterated in the family’s latest statement.
Key Implications
The allegation raises broader concerns around:
- Digital impersonation and misinformation in politically sensitive cases
- Online surveillance fears among activists and supporters
- Public trust in information sources during ongoing legal and political disputes
- Platform responsibility in tackling impersonation of high-profile figures
Security analysts note that impersonation of political figures on social media has increasingly become a tool for disinformation, intimidation, and intelligence gathering in conflict-prone environments.
What Happens Next
The family says it will continue to expose what it called “dirty tactics” and renew calls for Kanu’s unconditional release. Meanwhile, supporters and members of the public are being urged to remain vigilant online and report suspicious activity.
As of the time of reporting, there has been no official response from Nigerian security agencies to the allegation.
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