Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu plans to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
As reported by Politics Nigeria, the announcement was made during the 13th memorial anniversary of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, held in Owerri on Tuesday.
“President Tinubu understands the significance of Kanu’s release. It will help expose the individuals responsible for the violence in the Southeast and restore order. I am committed to ensuring His Excellency grants this request,” Ambassador Ojukwu stated.
She emphasized that the President views Kanu’s release as critical to distinguishing genuine freedom fighters from criminal elements exploiting the IPOB name to perpetrate violence. Ojukwu noted that the Igbo people are not known for harming their own and called for unity in reclaiming the Southeast from insecurity and criminality.
“The release of Nnamdi Kanu is essential to restoring peace and addressing the existential threats facing our people,” she said. “It is time to separate the true advocates of self-determination from those who have turned to violence and criminality.”
Ambassador Ojukwu also condemned the imposition of violent “sit-at-home” orders in the Southeast, describing them as a betrayal of the ideals of self-determination and a significant disruption to economic activities in the region.
“Ndigbo are a resilient and enterprising people. We must reclaim our land and uphold the values for which Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu stood,” she added.
Nnamdi Kanu has been in detention since June 2015, when he was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Lagos. He faces charges of treason, terrorism, and other offences. Although courts have granted him bail on multiple occasions, he remains in custody.
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