Kamilu Lawal, Katsina
A civil society organisation, Nigeria First Project Initiative, has urged the Presidency and the Nigerian judiciary to disregard agitations by some individuals and groups calling for the release of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.
Kanu, who is being arraigned by the Department of State Services on charges bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, illegal possession of firearms and managing an unlawful organisation, among others was first arrested in 2015 and a second time in 2021.
Briefing newsmen at a press conference held in Katsina, the National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Hamza Umar Saulawa, expressed fears that even if released, Kanu will continue to incite violence against the Nigerian state.
“Kanu was granted bail in 2017 but he arrogantly flouted the bail conditions and even jumped bail and fled the country where he continued sending inciting and hateful messages through social media channels.
“These messages led to more killings of security agencies and hundreds of ordinary Nigerian citizens including those of Southeast origin.
“It took the grace of God for the Nigerian government through international collaboration and intelligence sharing to re-arrest Kanu in 2021 and bring him back to Nigeria to face charges of terrorism,” Saulawa said.
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He accused Kanu of being behind the continued operations of IPOB despite its proscription and designation as a terrorist organization by the federal government.
While describing Kanu as a divisive figure, Saulawa expressed the fear that “if freed or released on bail, the IPOB leader will continue to promote hate, violence and terrorism and attempt to undermine the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
The group urged the convener of Revolution Now, Mr. Omoloye Sowore, and other individuals and groups to desist from organizing protests to call for the release of Nnamdi Kanu.