Sophia Michaels
The efforts to secure the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, have entered a spiritual realm, with elders from the Old Eastern Region gathering at his late parents’ graveside in Umuahia on Wednesday. They came together to offer prayers for his release.
Serious prayers were offered at the graveside for a favourable outcome at Kanu’s next court hearing on February 26 at the Federal High Court Abuja.
The elders who were decked in the traditional Igbo attire popularly known as Isi agu (lion’s head), took turns to pray for Kanu’s unconditional release.
They also prayed against forces sabotaging and frustrating efforts towards his release.
Addressing newsmen after the prayers, the National Chairman of Concerned Elders of Old Eastern Region, Chief Innocent Orji, said they came to mark the fourth anniversary of the demise of Kanu’s parents, HRM and Lolo Israel Kanu, who died as a result of shock they received when their palace was invaded by security operatives.
He described them as part of heroes and heroines of Biafra whose sacrifices would ever be appreciated.
Chief Orji further said that they came to seek divine intervention because the forces behind Kanu’s continued intervention were not ordinary.
He said that “Kanu is not a terrorist but a freedom fighter” contrary to allegations by the Federal Government.
Chief Orji further said that Kanu had the full support of the entire people of the Old Eastern Region in his agitation for the liberation of the oppressed people of the region.
” There is no reason for his continued detention because he is not a criminal but a freedom fighter. He only seeks the liberation of his people, and we are all behind him.
” We cannot abandon him at any point. We are all in this struggles together, and we are very optimistic, he will be released to us.”
The elders appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to order his immediate release to help restore peace and security to the region.
Adding his voice, Leader of the delegation of the Elders from Akwa Ibom State, Akuku Ekong Umo Essien, said the struggles for Biafra restoration “is never an Igbo affair” but a joint project of the people of the Old Eastern Region.
He said that injustice against the people by the Nigerian State “fuels the renewed agitation for Biafra,” saying that the struggles can no longer be suppressed.
” We totally believe in Biafra and what it represents. Kanu should be released because he is only championing the cause of the oppressed people of the Old Eastern Region”.
Another elder from Akwa Ibom, Chief Sunday Eyara, said that the current realities in Nigeria had shown that it might not be possible to restructure the country again.
He regretted that those who felt that the country belonged to them refused to harken to earlier calls for restructuring.
According to them, anybody who is sincere will agree that there are fundamental truths about Nigeria that cannot be perpetually suppressed.
” The earlier our leaders admit that Nigeria has unresolved issues the better for all”, he said .
Elder Eyara expressed optimism that Kanu would be released, and “Biafra actualized in our life time”.
Responding, Kanu’s younger brother, thanked the elders for coming to honour his late parents, and for all their show of support and encouragements for his detained brother.
He said that his parents died as a result of trauma they sustained following the September 14 military invasion of their compound during Operation Python Dance II.
No fewer than 28 persons mostly Biafran agitators shielding the IPOB Leader were slaughtered by security agents during the raid.
Prince Emmanuel also called on the Federal Government to listen to various appeals for his brother’s unconditional release.
He said that his brother is a great prophet whose predictions about Nigeria have all come through.
He insisted that Kanu’s is not part of Nigeria’s problems but its solution.
” Nnamdi Kanu is not Nigeria’s problem but part of its solution. They should release him and engage him on the way to fix the country.
” If they are discerning enough, they will understand that his prophesies about Nigeria have all come to pass. He predicted that if actions were not taken, Nigeria would be another Somalia. Is Somalia not better than Nigeria today?”
Kanu has remained in solitary confinement at the Abuja headquarters of the Department of State Services, DSS, since his extraordinary rendition from Kenya in June 2021.
The Supreme Court, however, on December 15, 2023 refused to affirm earlier court judgments ordering his immediate and unconditional release.
It rather held that Kanu be re-arraigned before the Abuja Federal High Court.
His trial resumed at the High Court on February 8, and was adjurned till February 26.
