IPOB: Jubilation As Govt Frees 3 Militants

There is jubilation in the camp of the Nnamdi Kanu-led IPOB, security experts say following the release of three of its members held by the Nigerian government.

Amnesty International, AI announced the release of the three militants by the Nigerian Army which has held them for months on Wednesday.

The report by AI comes on the back of President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the troubled region.

Buhari was in Imo state on Tuesday at the instance of Governor Hope Uzondinma to commission some projects executed by the administration.

The magazine learned that Igbo leaders discussed the IPOB matter with the president during the visit to the Governor Uzodinma-led state.

The report also comes a day after the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday, reserved judgment on the case against the detained leader of the proscribed IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu who is being tried for terrorism by the federal government.

According to AI, the three persons suspected to be members of IPOB, had been held for two and half years at 14 Brigade Nigerian Army Ohafia, Abia State.

“Amnesty International welcomes the release today 14 September 2022, of Sunday Nwafor, 59 years, Uzonwanne Ejiofor 48 years, and Wilfred Dike, 36 years, who were arrested by officers of the Nigerian Army on 27 February 2020 at Imo River community in Abia state,” the right body said.

“They were held at 14 Brigade Nigerian Army Ohafia, Abia State for well over two and half years. Their release follows Amnesty International’s campaign and call for their freedom, including, as recently as two weeks ago.

“Amnesty International urges Nigerian authorities to provide information about the status of other victims of enforced disappearance and incommunicado detention, grant their families and lawyers access to them, charge them to court, or release them from detention.”