Parents of the detained Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, have called on the Federal Government and the Department of Security Services (DSS) to set him free. Addressing journalists in their home yesterday, the traditional ruler of Afaraukwu Ibeku autonomous community in Umuahia North Local Government Area, Abia State, Chief Israel Okwu Kanu; his wife, Ugoeze Nnenne and two of his children and Kanu’s siblings, the 83-year-old traditional ruler said the arrest and continued incarceration of his first son had aggravated his health condition.
He said he hardly sleeps since the younger Kanu was arrested. The arrest of Kanu has triggered series of pro – Biafran protests across the South-East and South- South states of the country. According to Eze Kanu, he was worried and confused when news of the arrest of his son was broken to him.
“I was confused because my son was coming to see me when he was arrested. When I asked where he was arrested they said Abuja; I sent to confirm his state of health and the report I got is that he is alive, that’s why I was able to talk now,” the traditional ruler said, denying knowledge of his son’s involvement in the pro- Biafra agitation.
He appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the matter and secure the release of his son, saying he was not a trouble maker. The traditional ruler, however, maintained that even in a family people are bound to differ much less in a democracy where the freedom of speech is guaranteed.
His brother, Emmanuel, who brought the report of his state of health in the detention cell in Abuja to his parents, said he met Kanu, a graduate of political science and contemporary history in Britain, in good health and in high spirits. He explained that his brother was passionate about Biafra.
“He has always been an activist, he believes in equity and justice,” he said. Kanu was arrested by operatives of the DSS on October 17 at Golden Tulip Essential Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, upon arrival to Nigeria from his United Kingdom base for a brief visit. Though he was granted bail on October 19, by an Abuja Municipal Magistrate’s Court, Wuse Zone 2, his case is, however, scheduled for hearing on November 18.
He was granted bail in the sum of N2 million or with surety of N2 million with a civil servant of grade level 16. Kanu was charged with the following alleged offences: criminal conspiracy, managing and belonging to unlawful society and criminal intimidation contrary to sections 97, 97b and 397 of the Penal Code (applicable in Northern Nigeria). However, his lawyer, Mr. Egechukwu Obetta, decried the stringent bail conditions attached to his release. Though he was alleged to have met his bail conditions, Obetta claimed he was still denied access to his client.
Confirming the development, Obetta said: “He has not been released. The filing of paper work in line with his (Kanu’s) bail condition is in progress.” In another development, members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and a faction of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), as well as other pro-Biafra groups, yesterday took over the streets of Owerri, the Imo State capital, in a well coordinated protest march.
Their activities crippled economic activities and hindered free-flowing vehicular movements as they protested the continued detention of Kanu. The state Governor, Rochas Okorocha, at the wake of the protests, absolved the South-East governors and Igbo leaders of any complicity. He said the separatists did not enjoy the support of the majority of the Igbo.
Also, the governor had stepped up security in the state to prevent the pro-Biafra groups from holding the protest rally in the state. However, as early as 6am yesterday, IPOB members who reportedly ‘trekked’ from Aba in neighbouring Abia State and Port Harcourt, apparently to beat security checks, gathered at strategic positions in the state capital from where they linked up with their members on the ground to begin the protest.
Although there was heavy security presence, including battle-ready soldiers and heavily armed mobile policemen, who drove behind the protesters in their vehicles, there was obvious anxiety among the residents as shop owners hurriedly locked up their shops, while motorists parked by the side of the road to make way for the rather massive procession. Meanwhile, the protesters numbering over 3,000 marched through the major streets in the state capital, displaying the Biafra flag and placards of various inscriptions.
One of the protesters, who identified himself as Emmanuel, said the protests would spread to other parts of the country until Kanu is unconditionally released by the Federal Government. The factional MASSOB Director of Information, Uchenna Madu, who was on ground, said they were in solidarity with IPOB because Kanu is a true Biafran. He said:
“The protest will continue as a platform to send the message across that we need Biafra, we are not secured in Nigeria. Our demonstrations shall remain non violent, today we are in Owerri and by the time we finish in the Southeast and Kanu is not released we will match to Abuja to press home our grievances.”
