Afeez Ayinde SaheedA new open-source intelligence investigation by TheCable has revealed that social media accounts linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) played a key role in amplifying claims of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria.
According to the analysis, data from X (formerly Twitter) between January 1 and October 1, 2025, recorded over 165,000 mentions of the subject, reaching an estimated 2.83 billion users—over twelve times Nigeria’s population.
The report noted that popular hashtags driving the trend included #Christiangenocide, #LaraLogan, #TruthNigeria, and #BiafraExitNow, with the latter standing out for its separatist undertone.
Confidence MacHarry, a Senior Analyst at SBM Intelligence, explained that the “Christian genocide” narrative was first initiated by IPOB as far back as 2016.
TheCable’s investigation further revealed that X accounts supporting IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu and promoting Biafra’s independence were among the most active in spreading the narrative.
The report also explored the international dimension of the campaign, noting that U.S. Senator Ted Cruz—who had called for sanctions against Nigeria—received over $1.8 billion in donations from AIPAC, a powerful pro-Israel lobbying organization, suggesting a complex link between global politics, separatist motives, and religious advocacy.
The controversy resurfaced after the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) refuted comments made by Presidential aide Daniel Bwala, accusing him of misrepresenting its position following his visit to CAN’s headquarters in Abuja.
There have been growing claims and counterclaims online since several American senators accused the Nigerian government of committing genocide against Christians. However, the government has denied the allegation, insisting that those promoting the narrative are driven by separatist interests.
