Nnamdi Kanu, the spearhead of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), confidently declares his capability to eradicate insecurity in the South-east and South-south regions of Nigeria within a mere two minutes should he be granted freedom from detention.
Kanu has been detained by the State Security Service (SSS) since his contentious apprehension and extradition from Kenya in June 2021. He faces terrorism charges in the Federal High Court, Abuja.
IPOB, an organization advocating for an autonomous Biafran state encompassing parts of the South-east and South-south, has been linked to violent incidents and fatalities in these regions, an allegation repeatedly refuted by the group.
In a statement on Tuesday during his appearance at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Kanu attributed the prolonged insecurity in the regions to his imprisonment by the DSS.
“Anyone involved in any form of violence or insecurity in the South-east under the guise of IPOB acts independently, and they are aware of it. Let me have the opportunity to intervene. Just two minutes! I assure you, there will be tranquility not only in the South-east but across the entire eastern region, if not the entire southern region,” he asserted to reporters.
Kanu also voiced suspicions of complicity among certain Nigerian government officials in perpetuating insecurity in these regions, allegedly for personal gain.
“They (government officials) understand that with Nnamdi Kanu’s freedom, this chaos would cease within two minutes,” he declared, insinuating that his directives would be unquestionably followed.
Moreover, Kanu denounced any individual perpetrating violence under the banner of IPOB as criminals, emphasizing the group’s pursuit of freedom, justice, and equality.
“We advocate for our liberation, seeking justice, fairness, and equity. That is our cause. Those engaging in criminal activities in the east will not escape unpunished,” he conveyed in Igbo language.
Kanu’s initial arrest transpired in 2015 during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on October 13, 2022, ruled that Kanu’s extradition to Nigeria was irregular, violating both extradition treaties and his fundamental human rights.
Although the terrorism charges against Kanu were dismissed by the court, the government, citing concerns over his potential absence from future court proceedings and the potential for heightened insecurity in the South-east, declined to release him.
Subsequently, the government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, lodged an appeal against the court’s decision and secured an order from the Supreme Court staying Kanu’s release.
On December 15, the Supreme Court overturned the lower court’s acquittal and ordered the continuation of Kanu’s trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
