Soludo: Releasing Nnamdi Kanu Won’t Solve South-East Insecurity
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has stated that the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is not directly linked to the escalating insecurity in the South-East.
Speaking during a media chat on Monday to mark his third year in office, Soludo dismissed the notion that Kanu’s release would be a silver bullet for restoring peace in the region.
“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.
Soludo’s stance comes amid growing calls from various South-East leaders urging President Bola Tinubu to free the separatist leader. Many believe Kanu’s detention fuels unrest, with criminals allegedly exploiting his continued incarceration as a justification for violence.
On July 2, 2024, governors under the South-East Governors’ Forum resolved to meet with President Tinubu to push for Kanu’s release. The next day, senators from the region engaged Lateef Fagbemi, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, on the same matter.
In a further show of unity, South-East traditional rulers also urged President Tinubu to release Kanu, arguing that it would ease regional tensions. Earlier in February, the House of Representatives Committee on South-East Development Commission (SEDC) made a similar appeal, emphasizing that peace and stability could be restored through his freedom.
Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu, reinforced this argument, stating that criminals are using Kanu’s detention as an excuse for their activities.
Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021, when he was extradited from Kenya. He faces terrorism charges, a legal battle that continues to divide opinions across Nigeria.
