The Arewa Community in Southern Nigeria has faulted the call for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Musa Saidu, the Arewa leader, stated this in a statement on Tuesday.
President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, had on Sunday urged mR Buhari to release mR Kanu before the end of his tenure.
The leader of the Arewa group said the call was wrong.
“Where were they when Kanu was leading IPOB militants to kill innocent people in the South-East? Not only in the South-East, so many members of the Arewa community were attacked in Port Harcourt, and nobody said anything,” Mr Saidu stated. “We have the figures. We have even the photos of those killed in cold blood.”
He added, “Now they’re clamouring for his release. What guarantee are they giving that the killings will not continue if he is released.”
Mr Saidu noted that the IPOB leader could not be released by presidential order because he is facing trial in court.
“Buhari didn’t order the detention of Nnamdi Kanu in the first place. He is being detained by the court, where he is facing treason charges. So it will be absurd for Buhari to order his release,” the Arewa community leader explained.
Mr Saidu advised Ohanaeze to visit the victims of IPOB attacks in the South-East, which he said were mainly settlers, to find solutions to the problem.
“The Ndigbo should go round the entire South-East and even South-South, visit the victims of IPOB attacks and try to extract forgiveness from them so it can be used to convince the court to release Kanu,” he stressed.
Mr Saidu also mentioned that releasing Mr Kanu would further aggravate the killings in the South-East.
“IPOB militants have continued to attack security agents in the South-East. Even the police are not spared. What guarantee do we have that his release will not aggravate the killings?” he noted.
Mr Iwuanyanwu had said Mr Kanu should be released to cater to his deteriorating health.