Former Army Intelligence Officer, Col Hassan Stan-Labo (rtd) has called on the Federal Government to initiate conversation with the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
He made the call on Wednesday while reacting to the unrest in the South-East occasioned by the enforcement of a one week sit-at-home by the secessionist group.
Hassan, who spoke during an interview with Arise Television, opined that the best way to tackle the menace arising from the activities of the secessionist group is to release Kanu.
He said, “One major deal in the Southeast which I think will cool off a great deal of nerves is to bring out Nnamdi Kanu.
“Pull that gentleman out, stop this incarceration. I know some of his pronouncements are offensive, and there was a need to take certain actions. But Nigeria itself is a family.
“When part of the family feels offended, as a parent, you sit the gentleman down and try to find out what are the problems? How do I help you?
“Can we start talking with Kanu? Can we start talking with IPOB? Can we start talking with other groups? I think conversation with some of these teams will go a long way in addressing the problems.
“Nnamdi Kanu should be released. The government should talk with Kanu and IPOB, it will help in addressing the problem.
“Further incarceration heightens the heroism over him, making him more relevant. Nigeria has made him a hero.”
News reports that Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and other states in the region are relatively on a lockdown presently as the Simon Ekpa faction of IPOB vowed to restrict movement for a whole week.
Several students and business owners were trapped on Wednesday as the enforcers of the sit-at-home laid siege on them.