A new open-source intelligence analysis by TheCable has revealed that social media networks affiliated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) played a key role in amplifying claims of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria.
According to the report, data from X (formerly Twitter) between January 1 and October 1, 2025, showed over 165,000 mentions of the topic, reaching an estimated 2.83 billion people, more than twelve times Nigeria’s population. Prominent hashtags included #ChristianGenocide, #LaraLogan, #TruthNigeria, and #BiafraExitNow, with the latter standing out as an unusual part of the conversation.
Confidence MacHarry, Senior Analyst at SBM Intelligence, stated that the “Christian genocide” narrative “was initiated by IPOB as far back as 2016.” The analysis noted that X accounts supporting IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu and advocating Biafra’s secession were among the most active in promoting the narrative online.
The report also highlighted that U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who has called for sanctions against Nigeria, received over $1.8 billion in donations from AIPAC, a pro-Israel lobbying group, a finding that underscores the intersection of international politics, separatist movements, and religious narratives in shaping Nigeria’s global image.
The debate gained renewed attention after the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) rejected comments by Presidential aide Daniel Bwala, accusing him of misrepresenting its position on the issue following his visit to the association’s headquarters in Abuja.
Ademide Adebayo
