Millions will resist any attempt to unlawfully re-arrest Kanu, IPOB warns FG

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) says it will resist any attempt by the federal government to re-arrest Nnamdi Kanu, its leader, without first obtaining a court order.

Kanu is being tried for an alleged treasonable felony but is currently on bail. Part of his bail conditions is not to appear in a group of more than ten and not to grant press interviews.

The federal government, on Friday, asked the court to revoke Kanu’s bail and order his arrest for flouting his bail conditions.

Reacting, IPOB said though Kanu is prepared to be locked up in his quest for the sovereign state of Biafra, the government must follow “due process” else the arrest will be resisted.

In a statement issued on Saturday by Emma Powerful, IPOB spokesman, the group said it had predicted the government’s request for Kanu to be re-arrested — “so we are well prepared for it”.

The statement read: “We, the Indigenous People of Biafra, and its leadership worldwide under the command and leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to place the whole world on notice regarding the illegal and wholesome undemocratic moves by APC government led by Major General Muhammadu Buhari to re-arrest our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who committed no crime known to the laws of the Nigerian state.

“Merely asserting that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a threat to the Nigerian government is not a crime unless accompanied by legally definable crime or offence.

“The Muhammadu Buhari led administration must know that threats and more threats heaped upon intimidation after intimidation do not wash with IPOB.

“Before Buhari decides to make a move to arrest our leader, he must first go to court to obtain a court order, else it will be resisted by millions of IPOB members.

“As soon as the illegal, unconstitutionally draconian conditions of the bail were spelt out by Justice Binta Nyako, we knew such a day would come when they will use the cover of broken bail condition to launch an attack.

“Federal government must do exactly what IPOB did, after all the matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction. When IPOB complained about the inhumane bail conditions, we were advised to approach the court for variation.”