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On Nov. 21, 2024, Finnish authorities arrested Simon Ekpa, a key figure in the pro-Biafran movement, alongside four others for allegedly inciting violence and financing terrorism tied to separatist activities in Nigeria’s Southeast. Ekpa, a self-proclaimed leader of IPOB and head of the Biafra Government in Exile (BGIE), has long leveraged social media to enforce illegal sit-at-home orders and spread misleading content that fuels unrest.
His arrest, however, is just one part of a broader digital disinformation network driving the pro-Biafran movement. Over time, social media has become a battleground where misleading claims thrive, fueling ethnic tensions, distorting historical narratives, and pushing secessionist rhetoric. The rise of this digital ecosystem raises an urgent question: How much of what people see and believe is true?
The shifting landscape of pro-Biafran narratives
Biafra, or the pro-Biafran narrative, is not new to Nigerians familiar with history. The movement traces its roots to the late 1960s, when Lieutenant Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu, then Military Governor of the Eastern Region, declared the secession of Biafra from Nigeria, leading to the brutal Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970). Although the war ended in Biafra’s surrender, the ideology never truly faded. Ojukwu remained a key political figure, advocating for Igbo interests even after his return from exile in 1982. His defiance, vision of self-determination, and grievances over perceived marginalisation became the foundation upon which later figures like Nnamdi Kanu and Simon Ekpa built their movements—though with more radical and digitally driven approaches.
Nnamdi Kanu rose to prominence for stoking ethnic tensions and challenging Nigeria’s democratic stability. Through Radio Biafra and online platforms, he disseminated disinformation, incited civil disobedience, and promoted violent resistance against the Nigerian state. His inflammatory statements contributed to clashes between security forces and IPOB members, worsening insecurity in the Southeast. Labelled a terrorist by the Nigerian government, Kanu was first arrested in 2015 for treason but fled after being granted bail. However, in 2021, he was rearrested and extradited, reportedly from Kenya, after intensifying calls for secession, further threatening national unity.
Following Kanu’s arrest, Simon Ekpa positioned himself as the new voice of the movement, adopting more aggressive and digitally-driven strategies. Unlike Kanu, who built influence through Radio Biafra, Ekpa has weaponised social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), to push separatist narratives and spread disinformation that fuels unrest in Nigeria’s Southeast. DUBAWA has debunked many of the false claims he has shared, contributing to the broader disinformation ecosystem that sustains the movement. See some here, here, here, here, and here.
Beyond these controversial personalities, a broader social media community actively spreads disinformation, entrenching division and fueling the movement’s digital momentum.
The wider community on Facebook/ patterns of disinformation disorder
Within February, DUBAWA closely monitored several pro-Biafran Facebook accounts, actively sharing content that discredits democracy, blames other regions for terrorism and instability, and spreads false narratives.
Some of the major accounts identified include Nwa Biafra InfoTv, Biafra Republic, Biafra Republic 2, Biafra Freedom, Biafran Airlines, Biafra People Worldwide, Freedom Channel, and many others engaged in similar activities.
On Feb. 7, 2025, DUBAWA published a fact-check that debunked a claim made by Nwa Biafra InfoTv. The account shared a video falsely suggesting that it depicted a recent incident in Oyo State where ritualists were caught with dismembered bodies. However, findings revealed that the footage was from an old event in 2024.
Similar misleading content has been shared by other accounts within this network. Following the abduction of Prince Eniola, the National President of the Afenifere National Youth Council, on Feb. 17, 2025, while travelling between Ondo and Kogi states en route to Abuja, the Facebook account @Biafran Airlines posted a video of the kidnapped man pleading for help, with a gun pointed at his chest.
The comments under the post reflected a concerning trend. Rather than expressing outrage or sympathy, many users seemed indifferent to the severity of the situation, focusing instead on assigning blame. One user, @AlohInnocent, commented: “Call your Tinubu, he is your president.”
Given the scale and engagement of these accounts, each with thousands of followers and content frequently shared across platforms, their activities pose significant risks. This network of misinformation contributes to the erosion of trust, the virality of disinformation, the suppression of credible discourse, heightened ethnic tensions, security threats, and a broader assault on democracy.
What Can Be Done?
- Empower people with truth: Fact-checking shouldn’t just be about debunking falsehoods. It should also be about making the truth more engaging and accessible. People connect with stories, not just statistics. By presenting verified information through storytelling, visuals, and even local languages, facts can resonate in a way that misinformation often does. It’s not enough to say something is false; people should be helped to understand why the truth matters to them.
- Fix the algorithm, fix the problem: Social media platforms play a huge role in how information spreads, and their algorithms often favour engagement over accuracy. Instead of allowing misinformation to dominate, platforms should prioritise credible sources while limiting the reach of coordinated disinformation campaigns. But this isn’t just about suppression; it’s about collaboration. Working with fact-checkers, researchers, and local influencers can help tech companies design solutions that fit Nigeria’s media landscape.
- Bring the conversation to the people: Misinformation thrives where people feel unheard. Rather than dismissing those who believe false narratives, engaging them in meaningful conversations is crucial. Town hall meetings, online discussions, and community-driven initiatives can help address real concerns while gradually introducing factual information. Social media influencers, religious leaders, and respected community figures can be powerful allies in this fight. People are more likely to trust those they already listen to.
Conclusion
Pro-Biafran disinformation should not be dismissed as merely an eastern issue or seen as insignificant to other regions in Nigeria. Misinformation does not operate in isolation, especially in the age of social media, where narratives spread beyond borders and shape national discourse. Handling this challenge requires unified and coordinated efforts from experts, fact-checkers, policymakers, and technology platforms to curb the spread of false narratives and safeguard democratic stability.
