Ipob warns Igbo politicians fleeing Abuja's insecurity not to come to Igboland without Nnamdi Kanu

IGBO politicians fleeing the growing violence in Abuja have been warned by the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) not to return to the southeast geo-political zone unless they bring Nnamdi Kanu along with them.

Over the last few weeks, there has been an increase in terrorist attacks in the Federal Capital Territory, forcing the government to close all schools there.  As a result, many local have reportedly left Abuja to other parts of the country like the southeast, while others are planning on leaving soon.

Highly controversial, Mr Kanu has been campaigning for the recreation of the independent republic of Biafra which broke away from Nigeria between July 1967 and January 1970 during the civil war. His campaign, which has led to the phenomenal growth of Ipob, has set him at odds with the Nigerian government who him arrested and put on trial for treason.

While the case was still pending, Mr Kanu was granted bail in April 2017 on health grounds but skipped his bail after flouting the conditions given to him by the court and fled Nigeria. In a dramatic development, in June last year, Mr Kanu was abducted in Kenya and flown to Nigeria, where he has since been arrayed in court in Abuja, while he is being detained by the Department of State Security (DSS).

Ipob spokesman Emma Powerful, said: “As terrorists and insecurity gradually threaten Nigeria's seat of power, Abuja, we the global movement and noble family of Ipob, led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wish to remind the so-called elders and politicians of Igbo extraction of Biafra in Abuja never to return home to Biafraland without Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. We express our delight over the fulfilment of the most if not all the prophecies of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.  

“It is crystal clear that these terrorists after taking over the seat of power, will come down to Western and Eastern Nigeria. The entire south is not safe anymore, so there is an urgent need for  to re-strategise and get the already-infiltrated terrorists out of our territories without delay.

“As there is fire on the mountain and Abuja is being encircled by terrorists, we advise Biafra politicians in Abuja never think of returning to the southeast region without coming back with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. They must do all they could to ensure that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is back here in the east with them because Abuja is no more safe again.

"The land of Biafra and our ancestors will not spare them if they return to East without Mazi Nnamdi Kanu being released unconditionally from the DSS custody. All Eastern politicians, businessmen and women, traditional rulers, senators and Federal House of Representatives, religious men and women including governors, must ensure the urgent release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as ordered by United Nations otherwise the land will not contain us and them.

"If you people fail to heed to this peaceful advise, we shall also never heed to your plea when the jungle matures. Our people and Nigeria should understand that the peace of Nigeria and especially that of East lies with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. A stitch in time saves nine.  We are warning ahead of time. A word is enough for the wise.”