IPOB: Ex-Presidential Aide Says Kanu Must Be Punished, As Calls For His Release Intensify

Bashir Ahmad, a former a dide to late President Muhammadu Buhari says it will be wrong to release Indigenous People of Biafra,  IPOB strongman, Nnamdi Kanu, blaming him for many innocent lives lost across the south east of Nigeria.

Ahmad shared his view on his X handle on Thursday amid recent calls for the release of the IPOB secessionist leader, who has spent more than four years in the detention of the Department of State Services, DSS.

The magazine reported that Kanu, following his arrest in Kenya on 27 June 20212021 has been put on trial by the federal government on terrorism related allegations. On Tuesday, a federal high court in Abuja, adjourned his trial to October 16, even as some human rights bodies have called for this release.

For instance, Omoyele Sowore, a rights activist and Publisher of Sahara Reporters is leading a protest , on October 16 to Aso Villa , Nigeria’s Presidency  to demand the release of the IPOB leader, and has called on Nigerians to join.

Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president has thrown his support for the protest, saying the IPOB leader deserves his freedom for the government.

“We now have a date for the historic #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest march to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. It is October 20 at 7 am.,” Sowore wrote on Wednesday.

Also, a government critics Mahdi Shehu , on Thursday, called on the federal government to release kanu, contending that it is wrong to continue to detain him when other secessionist leaders such as Gani Adams, Oodu People Congress, OPC leader and Sunday, who committed similar offence were set free.

Reacting, Ahmad said the IPOB leader should be made to face justice for allegedly instigating violence that led to the death of many people from the south east saying what Kanu allegedly offence “ left deep scars on our nation.”

According to him, those calling for Kanu’s release have betrayed the country and the innocent lives killed as a result of his alleged instigation of violence in the country.

“It is a grave betrayal to the innocent lives lost and the countless victims of IPOB’s brutality to call for the release of Nnamdi Kanu. This is a man who deliberately incited violence, engineered killings and unleashed destruction across the South East and other parts of Nigeria. His actions tore families apart, destabilized communities and left deep scars on our nation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the magazine reported that Senator Orji Kalu, a former governor of Abia state said during the week that the judiciary must be allowed to determine th fate of the IPOB leader.

The former governor spoke on Channels Television Politic Toady, amidst calls from not a few Nigerian s for political solutions to the embattled IPOB leader’s issue, particular following reports that he has fallen ill in DSS detention.

Kalu said: “I have discussed this issue with the President many times. But I cannot tell you what I discussed with him. It’s a privilege for me to have spoken to the President. What matters is that everyone wants a peaceful resolution,” he said.

The senator emphasized that he and other stakeholders are pursuing what he described as “backdoor diplomacy”, expressing confidence that a peaceful outcome could be achieved without politicizing the case.

“All of us are doing what I call backdoor diplomacy because of the utmost respect I have for the judiciary. We must not make Justice Nyako or any judge look like a fool by discussing this case publicly. Nigerians must respect the decisions of our courts.”