An ad hoc House of Representatives committee investigating communal clashes in Abia state has called for the release of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS).
The committee, chaired by Obinna Aguocha, is investigating banditry in the Isiukwuato and Umunnochi local government areas of Abia state.
Aguocha, in his speech at the start of the hearing on Thursday, said the committee must navigate the complexity of insecurity in the southeast by addressing the root cause of the problem. He said that the steps begin with the unconditional release of Mr. Kanu.
“For absolute peace, reduction of crime and criminality, investment in significant infrastructure development, an end to unproductive lockdowns, and improved economic growth and opportunity in the Southeast, begins with government recognition of the rule of law, justice, and the equitable inclusion of the South-East in the Nigeria project and the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from his illegal detention to ensure lasting peace and security throughout the region,” said Mr. Aguocha .
The arrest of Mr Kanu
The IPOB leader has been in and out of prison in Nigeria since 2015, as a result of his clash with the Nigerian government over its separatist campaigns.
He and the IPOB, already designated as a terrorist organization in Nigeria, seek the creation of an independent nation of Biafra, encompassing most of the areas of the former Eastern Region.
He was arrested in September 2015 and subsequently charged with felony treason for allegedly attempting to take up arms against the Nigerian state. He was granted bail by the Abuja Federal High Court in 2017.
While he was out on bail, the military invaded his country house in Afara-Ukwu, near Umuahia, the capital of Abia State, in September 2017. He fled Nigeria after the military invasion.
Later he would appear in Israel after a period of confusion about his whereabouts. After a while, he re-emerged in the UK, where he continued his inflammatory campaigns for secession from Biafra through his social media channels, instigating violence in the south-eastern region of Nigeria.
Mr Kanu has been in detention in Nigeria following his arrest and repatriation from Kenya.
Challenges in the Southeast go beyond statistics
Next, Mr. Aguocha said that insecurity in the southeast is preventing the development of the region, adding that it goes beyond statistics or newspaper headlines.
“The challenges we face are not mere statistics or headlines; they are manifestations of real life that affect the life of our people, disrupt the functioning of our institutions and communities, thus impeding the growth of our region”, he said.
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The lawmaker said there is a cross-border element to the communal clashes in the state because Abia state shares borders with four other states.
“The cross-border dynamics of the main focus areas add additional complexity to the challenges of the task ahead. Common borders, shared with four other states, connect the main focus areas with Ebonyi State via Isiagu, Enugu State via Agwu, Imo States via Okigwe and Anambra via Awka. , said.
“The opportunity for interstate collaboration presents itself and should be explored to encourage regional participation.”
The committee subsequently held a closed-door session with Abia State Police Commissioner Kenechukwu OnOnwumelie.
Editing: Festus Owete, Tosin Omoniyi
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Let hear it in the comment below if you do have an opinion on this; A panel of representatives says the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu is necessary for peace in the southeast