Igbo elders stormed the Abia State Government House in Umuahia, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The elders, drawn from across the Southeast, converged at the main entrance of the Government House, where they delivered their message to Governor Alex Otti.
Key Demands:
– Immediate Release of Nnamdi Kanu: The elders cited concerns about Kanu’s deteriorating health and the rising insecurity in the region as reasons for his release.
– Security Measures: They demanded concrete steps to secure Igbo land from external and internal threats and the withdrawal of all military checkpoints in the region.
– Mass Release of Biafran Agitators: The elders also called for the mass release of all Biafran agitators detained by the government.
Government Response:
– Governor Otti, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Kenneth Kalu, and Chief of Staff, Calab Ajagba, commended the elders for their peaceful approach and assured them that their grievances would be conveyed to the appropriate authorities.
Background:
– The demand for Kanu’s release is not new, with various Igbo groups and leaders consistently calling for his freedom.
– Some Igbo leaders believe that Kanu’s release would lead to peace in the Southeast, rather than the arrest of other figures like Simon Ekpa, the self-acclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra in Exile.
