The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), reaffirmed that the release of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, would resolve the insecurity in the South-East, countering claims made by Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.
In a press statement issued on Monday, IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, insisted that if Kanu’s release did not bring an immediate end to the region’s insecurity within two weeks, the group would cease to exist.
This statement followed Soludo’s comments made on December 17, in which he expressed doubts that releasing Kanu would solve the region’s security challenges.
The governor had argued that criminals had hijacked the Biafran struggle and were using Kanu’s name to carry out organized crime and destabilize the region.
Powerful, however, refuted Soludo’s stance, accusing him of aligning with politicians opposed to Kanu’s release.
He argued that the governor’s logic contradicted his previous calls for Kanu’s release and failed to address the root of the insecurity in the South-East.
“Governor Soludo’s statement suggests that if criminals are using Kanu’s name for criminal activities, releasing him would strip them of that cover and expose them.
It’s a simple matter of logic.
If Kanu is freed, those using his name would no longer have that pretext,” the statement read.
The IPOB spokesperson also criticized the governor for sounding more like a spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, which the group claims has a long history of hostility toward the people of Biafra.
He questioned whether Soludo fully understood the depth of the insecurity in the region, given his time in Abuja during the peak of attacks by killer herdsmen.
The group further challenged the South-East Governors Forum to publicly explain why they had not acted on their pledge to seek Kanu’s release.
It recalled that Kanu was instrumental in ending the reign of terror by herdsmen in Igboland, which they say has been largely forgotten.
Reiterating their confidence, IPOB boldly declared, “If Kanu is released and insecurity does not cease entirely within two weeks, IPOB shall cease to exist.
This is how confident we are in ending the hardship faced by our people.”
The group’s statement continues to underscore their belief that Kanu’s release is a vital step toward restoring peace in the South-East.
