By Ologeh Joseph Chibu
Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu is a prisoner of conscience, the group said on Monday.
IPOB also renewed its call for the immediate and unconditional release of its leader who has been detained by the Nigerian government since June 2021.
The Directorate of State (DOS) of IPOB, under Kanu’s leadership, stated in a statement made available to Irohinoodua that Kanu remains a “prisoner of conscience.”
The group accused the Nigerian government of flouting both international and domestic legal rulings.
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was forcibly taken from Kenya to Nigeria in what IPOB describes as a “kidnap and extraordinary rendition.” Since then, he has been held in solitary confinement by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja, despite multiple court orders calling for his release.
In October 2022, Nigeria’s Court of Appeals discharged and acquitted Kanu, yet he remains in custody.
IPOB alleges that the Nigerian government is unlawfully detaining Kanu as part of a broader attempt to suppress the movement for Biafran independence. The group also accuses the government of sponsoring violence in the southeastern region of Nigeria under the guise of IPOB in an effort to incite conflict and justify a military crackdown.
The United Nations has condemned Kanu’s abduction and detention, with its Working Group on Arbitrary Detention calling for his release.
IPOB, referencing this and other legal victories, argues that Kanu is being persecuted for his unwavering stance on self-determination for the people of Biafra, rather than for any crime.
The group further warns that Kanu’s continued detention undermines Nigeria’s democratic image and has contributed to the country’s growing economic and security crises. IPOB insists that the Biafran independence movement will not be quashed and remains committed to achieving its goals through peaceful means.
IPOB’s spokesperson, Comrade Emma Powerful, called on the international community to intervene and condemn the Nigerian government’s actions, urging a resolution that aligns with international law. The group has reiterated its call for a referendum on Biafran independence, stressing that the fight for self-determination will not be abandoned.
Kanu’s detention continues to be a focal point for both IPOB and its supporters, with the group warning that Nigeria must address its treatment of Biafrans or face long-lasting consequences.