Olayiwola Matthew
Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra state, says the detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, is not connected to the insecurity in the south-east.
In recent months, calls for the release of the IPOB leader have intensified, with stakeholders from the south-east arguing that it is key to addressing the rising insecurity in the geopolitical zone.
On July 2, 2024, governors under the umbrella of the South-East Governors’ Forum resolved to meet with President Bola Tinubu to seek the release of the separatist leader.
On July 3, senators from the zone met with Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, over Kanu’s release.
In the same month, the south-east council of traditional rulers asked President Bola Tinubu free Kanu to ease tension in the zone.
In February this year, the house of representatives committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC) demanded Kanu’s release to restore peace in the south-east.
Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the house, also said releasing Kanu would reduce insecurity in the south-east and that criminals currently use his continued detention as an excuse to perpetrate violence in the region.
Speaking on Monday during a media chat to mark his third year in office, Soludo said freeing Kanu may not end the insecurity in the south-east.
“The release of Nnamdi Kanu, for me, is different from the issue of security. I separate the two, I don’t link the two,” he said.
The IPOB leader has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since he was extradited from Kenya in June 2021. He is currently facing terrorism charges.