Soludo: Nnamdi Kanu’s release may not end insecurity in south-east

Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra state, says the release of Nnamdi Kanu, detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), may not end the insecurity in the south-east.

According to Punch, Soludo spoke on Tuesday during a press briefing at the Governor’s Lodge in Anambra state.

The IPOB leader has been in the custody of the Department of State Service (DSS) since he was extradited from Kenya in June 2021 and charged with treasonable felony.

Soludo said criminals had hijacked the Biafran struggle and are exploiting Kanu’s name to perpetrate organised crime and fuel insecurity in the south-east region.

He said such crimes are “purely driven by greed” and have “nothing to do with the genuine liberation struggle”.

The governor expressed doubt that the release of Kanu, would end the crisis, as the criminals appear to have severed ties with the original agitation.

“The so-called agitators have transformed into organised criminal gangs. They hide in forests, kidnapping innocent citizens for ransom, and they justify their atrocities under the pretext of Biafra. Let us be clear—this has nothing to do with any liberation movement,” he said.

“Criminality has taken on a life of its own. These people have tasted blood, and now, money is their motivation.

“Kanu and IPOB have repeatedly dissociated themselves from these criminals. Even if Nnamdi Kanu is released today, I’m not sure they would listen to him because what they now pursue is wealth, not liberation.

“They have become enemies of the people they claim to protect. Who are they fighting for when they kidnap and kill their own people?”

Soludo said insecurity in the region was sustained because some locals viewed security agencies as adversaries and the criminals as liberators.

“Our people know these criminals. They are our brothers, cousins, and neighbors,” he said.

“It’s unfortunate that in some communities, people contribute food to sustain these criminals hiding in the forests. How do you fight insecurity when people see criminals as heroes and the police as the enemy?”