…makes report to foreign diplomats
By Ayo Fadimu
The Federal Government says security and intelligence agencies were on the trail of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu for over two years before he was re-arrested.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who disclosed this at a media briefing on Thursday in Abuja, said Kanu was living ‘a five-star life across several countries.’
“He was travelling on chartered private jets, living in luxury apartments and turning out in designing clothes and shoes.
“Of course, as we all saw, he was wearing an attire made by Fendi, a luxury Italian fashion brand, when he was arrested,” he said.
The minister said Kanu’s re-arrest and repatriation were made possible through the collaboration of Nigerian security and intelligence agencies.
He described the re-arrest and repatriation as “one of the most classic operations of its type in the world.”
Mohammed, however, did not comment on the speculations on how the re-arrest was pulled off and in which country the hitherto fugitive leader of the proscribed IPOB was nabbed.
“What we can tell you, once again, is that the re-arrest was made possible by the diligent efforts of our security and intelligence agencies, in collaboration with countries with which we have obligations.
“We will continue to respect and honour the obligations,” he said
Mohammed disclosed that the forensic investigation carried out so far had revealed a treasure trove of information on the proscribed IPOB leader and his collaborators.
“While the investigation continues, we assure you that none of the collaborators, irrespective of their standing in the society, will be spared.
“They will all face the full wrath of the law for their activities that challenge our nation’s sovereignty and threaten its unity.
“No one, no matter how highly placed, is bigger than the country,” he said.
The minister also assured that Kanu would get a fair trial in measure with the offence he was being prosecuted over.
“It is interesting that many are suddenly calling for a fair trial for Kanu as if he didn’t get one before he decided to jump bail and flee.
“However, I can assure you that the fair deal that Kanu denied many of the victims of the violence which he willfully instigated through his broadcasts and tweets will not be denied him,” he said.
He commended the Nigerian security and intelligence agencies for their professionalism, diligence, patriotism and painstaking efforts as well as sister international agencies that collaborated to pull off the arrest.
Our Correspondent reports Kanu, who is facing an 11-count charge of treason, treasonable felony, terrorism and illegal possession of firearms, among others, jumped bail in 2017 and left the country.
He was re-arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday and ordered to be remanded in the custody of the DSS, while the case was adjourned till July 26 and July 27.
In the meantime, the Federal government has written letters to Western diplomats stating the atrocities committed by the IPOB leader.
In the letter, the Federal government accused kanu of being the brain behind the killing of 60 persons and the destruction of property in 55 violent attacks across the South East and South-South Zones within four months..
Our Correspondent reports that the letter dated April 26, 2021, detailed the atrocities committed by members of IPOB on the alleged instruction of Kanu who was then in exile.
Our Correspondent also reports that one of the attachments to the letter listed several of Kanu’s broadcasts from Europe, there were concerns in official quarters that some western countries were justifying IPOB’s violent acts under the guise of the group’s pursuit of self-determination.
According to the “demarche” from the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to some western countries, the Federal Government objected to a statement by an agency of a western nation whose government had noted and admitted that the creation of Eastern Security Network (ESN), based on its understanding, was to combat insecurity.
The Federal Government, in its letter, however, considered the statement (by the western nation) as “justifying the establishment of a militia by a non-state actor and glossing over the destructive and violent acts of IPOB and the ESN.”
“In under four months this year, IPOB has carried out over fifty-five (55) violent acts in various parts of Southeast Nigeria killing scores of people and destroying many properties.
“Indeed it would seem that the position of the (western nation) seems to have further emboldened Nnamdi Kanu the confessed leader of IPOB.
“As recently as 22nd April 2021, broadcasting online from his base in London, Mr. Kanu has issued series of instructions to his militia and other members of the outlawed organization, on acts of violence to be carried out within the territory of Nigeria,” the Federal Government stated in the letter.
The letter made copious references to some of the threats issued by Kanu thus: “Our madness has just begun.
“Every night, young men will not sleep, you will come out, at the starting of every road that leads to every populated area under human habitation to make sure that appropriate roadblocks are put in place to slow them down so we can catch them (Fulanis) and kill them.
“That is what we want you to do. Obiano (Governor of Anambra State) from today onwards, anywhere you are seen in public you will be attacked Obiano, you are a dead man walking.
“Any landlord that gives accommodation or rents his house or her house to a Fulani person, to army personnel, to somebody who works for the police or DSS …
“Kill them. If you see the army and the police in your place, kill all of them… Kill them.
“From today I am announcing, there will be no election in Anambra State. Every edifice of election in Anambra State will be destroyed. I am warning you. There will be no election. There will be no campaign in Anambra State.
“Any vehicle you see, from tonight (22nd April 2021), 12 midnight to 5, destroy it completely. That is the time they (referring to Fulanis) move about abducting people. And we keep quiet. What stops you young people from, once you see them coming around 4 am in the morning, you will block all every exits, set it on fire?”
“They will exhaust all the ammunition that they have, then we capture them alive and cut off their heads. All of them. Decapitate them,” the Federal Government further quoted Kanu’s alleged instructions to IPOB members.
The Federal Government also noted that members of the outlawed organization, in furtherance to these instructions, intensified their attacks on the specified targets.
According to the Federal Government, Kanu issues instructions from western capitals using Radio Biafra.