The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has said that there would be an end to the tension in the South-Eastern part of the country if the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, is released.
This is coming barely a few days after the dismissal of a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Kanu over alleged inhuman treatment in detention by personnel of the Department of State Security Services.
Recall that Kanu has been in detention for over two years while the region had remained under threat by gunmen identified as members of the IPOB group led by Simon Ekpa.
Ekpa, who recently announced that there will be a two-week sit-at-home in the South East, issued the directives from Lahti in Finland.
Speaking on the situation, the spokesperson for Ohanaeze, Alex Ogbonnia said Kanu’s continuous detention contributed to the agitation in the region, adding that the situation is a reflection of the social injustice meted on the region.
He said, “We have been consistent on the release of Nnamdi Kanu. We believe that the problem of what happened to Nnamdi Kanu has contributed to the agitation. What is happening in the South-East now is the manifestation of the social injustices meted on the South-East.
“Nnamdi Kanu issue will require a diplomatic political solution and not matter of charging him to court, leaving him in prison or being incarcerated; rather such will lead to more clamouring and affects the situation.
When asked if the tension in the South-East would come to an end if Kanu is released, he said “If he (Kanu) is released, at least the likes of Simon Ekpa would not have anything else to say again. No person can use Nnamdi Kanu as an excuse to cause mayhem in the country.”
