A pan-Igbo organization, Alaigbo Development Foundation has reacted to the re-arrest and arraignment of the leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, describing the development as unfortunate.
ADF, in a statement by its Chairman Bureau of Media and Publicity, Chief Abia Onyike and signed by its President, Prof. Uzodinma Nwala, noted that Kanu’s arrest portends unfortunate tidings for both the Biafra struggle and the Nigerian state.
The group while calling on the international community to look into the matter, said the IPOB leader’s arrest or elimination won’t quench the call by Igbo for self-determination.
The statement reads in full: “The Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) has received the news of the arrest and deportation of Nnamdi Kanu to Nigeria and his subsequent arraignment in Court in continuation of his previous trial.
“This development is very unfortunate both for the continued existence of the crisis-riden Nigerian federation and the struggle for the self-determination and emancipation of Igboland from the artificial Nigerian federation.
“The arrest or elimination of Nnamdi Kanu from the scene of the struggle is most unlikely to result in the smashing of the spirit of the longing for freedom of the Igbo Nation or that of other Nationalities that are equally struggling to free themselves from the chaotic Nigerian federation.
“Earlier in the day, we saw a social media news item with the headline: “Nnamdi Kanu arrested and Boko Haram fighters released”. This news item summarizes the grave injustice in the Federal government’s attempt to crush Nnamdi Kanu and his IPOB supporters, while the blood sucking Boko Haram and other bandits are on the prawl throughout the entire Federation including Katsina the home state of Mr President.
“The Igbo Nation is meanwhile groaning under the agony of the massive arrests, torture and killing of many Igbo youths by security agents of the Federal Government.
“One thing is very clear. The Federal Republic of Nigeria is breathing its last. It may well go the way of other federations which were created artificially and held together by the force of arms.
“We call on the International Community not to turn it’s back on the horrors taking place in Nigeria, especially in Igboland.
“We equally call on all Igbo lawyers no matter their persuasions, to come together and defend Nnamdi Kanu as well as several other Igbo youths who are languishing in various detention centres and prisons all over Nigeria.”
