Ohanaeze Warns Buhari Govt As Igbo Leaders Move To Free Nnamdi Kanu

Ohanaeze Ndigbo has warned the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to release thousands of Biafra members in detention as it considers granting freedom to Nnamdi Kanu.

The apex socio-cultural group in a statement issued on Friday (today) alleged that there is an ongoing secret negotiation between the ruling government and Igbo politicians and leaders to release the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

Ohanaeze, however, demanded that other Igbo youths detained in various prisons across the South-South and South-East should also be freed alongside Kanu in whatever deal is going on between the stakeholders.

The Igbo group in the statement signed by its Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro warned that there must not be any form of segregation in the ‘ongoing’ negotiations between leaders in the Southern region and the Buhari administration for the release of the IPOB leader and other top Biafra agitators.

Ohanaeze stated with confidence that it has it on good authority that not more than 983 Biafran detainees are incarcerated in various correctional facilities across the seven Igbo speaking states.

According to Ohanaeze, over 182 Igbo prisoners of conscience, mainly youths and women, are languishing in Port Harcourt Maximum Corrections Center on awaiting trial over related cases of Biafra agitation between 2016 and 2021.

“Whatever Kanu stands to benefit must be extended to others whose crimes were only wearing of Biafra costumes and identity cards,“ Daily Post quoted Ohanaeze as saying.

“No matter what, this is the first time we are speaking for their behalf, and they deserve pardon like Nnamdi Kanu.

“The Federal Government should ensure that the Igbo secret negotiation team who are ready to help FG have a secret peace deal with Nnamdi Kanu must include these Biafran detainees in any decision to be reached,” the group said.

“FG should use the government’s instruments to secure the release of all the Biafran detainees in various Corrections facilities at Port Harcourt, Asaba, Owerri, Awka, Enugu, umuahia, Onitsha, Abakiliki and Aba for peace to restored.

“The Federal Government should demand the comprehensive lists of all Biafran detainees and join it in the ongoing peace deal with Nnamdi Kanu’s team,” the statement added.