The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s federal government to release its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, News About Nigeria reports.
The appeal comes in response to a two-week sit-at-home directive issued by Simon Ekpa, who claims to be the Prime Minister of Biafra, and the prevailing security challenges in Nigeria’s South East region.
IPOB believes that releasing Kanu unconditionally, in compliance with the Nigerian Appeal Court’s order in Abuja, would help ease tensions in the region.
Emma Powerful, the spokesperson for IPOB, emphasized in a statement that the release of Kanu would lead to a reduction in criminal activities perpetrated by those taking advantage of his detention. Powerful urged the Nigerian government and its security agencies to take this advice if they genuinely seek peace in the region.
Also, IPOB distanced itself from the ongoing enforcement of the sit-at-home order, asserting that the Nigerian Army deliberately associates their name with any negative reports from the region.
Emma highlighted that IPOB condemns the Nigerian Army’s statement linking them to the frequent and disruptive sit-at-home orders. He pointed out that the Chief of Army Staff, General Lagbaja Taoreed, cannot claim ignorance of IPOB’s previous press releases, led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, which clearly disassociate the group from Simon Ekpa and his enforcers.
IPOB clarified that they are not responsible for the sit-at-home orders and enforcement activities on Mondays, the failed 7-day order, or the alleged 2-week order.
They attributed these actions to Simon Ekpa’s independent group, which they emphasized are not IPOB members and do not represent Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in their violent enforcement of the sit-at-home orders.
To demonstrate this distinction, IPOB members recently organized a rally in Lahti City, Finland, where they unequivocally showed that Simon Ekpa is not affiliated with their organization and did not participate in the protests.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful methods and clarified that although the Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra (DOS) initiated the sit-at-home recommendation, they did not enforce it. The people voluntarily complied with the recommendation.
IPOB strongly believes that by associating the reckless enforcement of the sit-at-home orders with their organization, the Nigerian Army and government are attempting to tarnish the image of IPOB and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
