By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Women from Isiama Afara Ukwu in Abia State staged a peaceful protest demanding the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The protesters, holding Kanu’s portraits and singing, urged the government to free him from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), where he has been held since June 2021 on charges of terrorism and treasonable felony. The South-East Governors Forum, alongside Labour Party (LP) members and over 50 federal lawmakers, have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to invoke legal provisions to secure Kanu’s release.
They argue that his prolonged detention exacerbates insecurity in the region and empowers criminal elements posing as agitators. The lawmakers believe Kanu’s release would help restore peace and clarify the distinction between legitimate political movements and criminal activities in the South-East. They also emphasized that resolving this issue could pave the way for a more constructive dialogue and reconciliation within the country.