A group of activists, under the umbrella of the Concerned Indigenous People of Biafra and Peaceful Global Awareness Campaigners for Justice and Freedom, staged a protest in Abuja on Wednesday, calling for international intervention in the detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The protesters, who carried placards condemning the “unlawful detention and torture” of Kanu, submitted a letter to diplomatic missions and international institutions in Abuja, urging “urgent global intervention” in his case.
The letter, addressed to the United Nations, the United States Embassy, the British High Commission, and other international bodies, highlighted the “unlawful abduction and continued detention” of Kanu, who was kidnapped in Kenya and extra-judicially transferred to Nigeria in June 2021. The activists argued that this act constitutes a clear violation of international law and the sovereignty of Kenya. Despite rulings by Nigerian courts and international human rights resolutions ordering his unconditional release, the Nigerian government continues to detain Kanu in solitary confinement under inhumane conditions, according to the letter.
The activists expressed concern over Kanu’s deteriorating health in detention and called on world powers and international institutions to act immediately to enforce all binding local and international court orders for his unconditional release. They also urged the international community to investigate and sanction those responsible for his illegal abduction and ongoing torture, and to ensure the protection of peaceful IPOB members against arbitrary arrests, harassment, and persecution.
The letter further demanded the designation of Nigeria as a terrorist state, citing persistent human rights violations, extrajudicial killings, kidnappings, torture, and suppression of peaceful self-determination movements by the Nigerian government and its security agencies. The activists argued that the unlawful abduction of Kanu from Kenya constitutes an act of international terrorism and a grave violation of international conventions on human rights and state sovereignty.
The protest and accompanying letter represent a global appeal for urgent humanitarian and diplomatic intervention in Kanu’s case. The activists urged world leaders to recognize the extraordinary humanitarian urgency of this case and initiate emergency diplomatic dialogue to prevent further escalation. The international community is being called upon to take immediate action to address the human rights violations and ensure the protection of civilians exercising their fundamental rights.