The President‑General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, John Azuta‑Mbata, has urged the federal government to release Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has been detained since 2021. In a video message circulated to journalists on Thursday, Azuta‑Mbata stressed that Kanu’s release is necessary for him to obtain appropriate medical care and to ensure his safety and welfare.
Kanu was first arrested in 2015 on charges of treasonable felony, skipped bail in 2017 and fled the country. He was rearrested in Kenya in June 2021 during an operation by Nigerian security agents and has since been held by the Department of State Services (DSS). Azuta‑Mbata called on the government to pursue a political solution to Kanu’s detention, arguing that keeping him behind bars offers no benefit to the country and that his health concerns must be prioritized.
The appeal comes amid growing worries about Kanu’s condition while in custody and reflects broader calls for a peaceful, diplomatic resolution to the controversy surrounding IPOB, a prominent separatist movement advocating for Igbo independence. The federal government’s response to Azuta‑Mbata’s request remains uncertain, as the case continues to attract domestic and international attention.
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