IPOB questions how Nnamdi Kanu was tagged ‘terrorist’ after 2017 meeting with South – East govs
IPOB Questions Terrorism Designation of Leader Nnamdi Kanu Following 2017 Peace Meeting
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has raised concerns regarding the classification of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, as a terrorist. This designation came just days after Kanu attended a peace meeting with governors from the South-East region in Enugu in August 2017.
IPOB spokesman Emma Powerful issued a statement on Tuesday titled “Where Was the Terrorism Between August and September 2017?” questioning the government’s rationale for labeling Kanu a terrorist after the reconciliation efforts.
During the Enugu meeting, Kanu outlined a series of developmental demands aimed at improving conditions in the South-East. These included calls for revitalizing local seaports, upgrading infrastructure, and enhancing healthcare services.
However, shortly after the meeting, on September 14, 2017, the Nigerian Army conducted an operation at Kanu’s family residence in Umuahia, purportedly on the request of South-East governors. Reports indicate that several individuals were killed during the raid, while Kanu managed to evade capture.
In its statement, IPOB emphasized the need for clarification from the Nigerian government on how Kanu was labeled a terrorist following a meeting focused on economic development and justice. The group listed Kanu’s demands, which included respect for the rule of law, the release of certain detainees, and investigations into alleged killings of IPOB supporters.
The statement also highlighted the subsequent proscription of IPOB activities by the South-East Governors’ Forum the day after the military operation, which IPOB claims marked the beginning of increased insecurity in the region.
IPOB questioned how demands for economic growth and lawful governance could be redefined as terrorism. The group called for accountability from Igbo politicians, arguing that the transition from a peaceful political movement to a terrorist designation needed to be examined.
Additionally, IPOB referenced comments made by former Senate President Bukola Saraki, who described the military’s classification of IPOB as unconstitutional, asserting that due process was not followed in the proscription.
IPOB reiterated its demand for the Nigerian government to provide answers regarding the events between the peace meeting and the designation of its leader. They called on the international community to investigate the records of the peace talks, the military’s actions, and the trial of Kanu, seeking transparency in the circumstances leading to these developments.
