The Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Charles Soludo has given reasons the release of Nnamdi Kanu may not address growing insecurity in the Southeast Nigeria.
The Governor made the disclosure during Tuesday’s press briefing at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, Akwa, Anambra State.
Recall that Kanu is facing terrorism charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Kanu is the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
IPOB is a group leading in the agitation for an independent State of Biafra, which it wants carved out from the Southeast and some parts of South-south of Nigeria
The IPOB leader until his arrest and repatriation to Nigeria from Kenya in June 2021, had been having running security issues.
Upon his detention, many Igbo leaders have repeatedly called for hi release. Their call had been hinged that his freedom would end insecurity in the Southeast.
However, during the press briefing on Tuesday, Soludo maintained that the release of the IPOB leader might not end insecurity in the region.
According to PUNCH, the Anambra Governor explained that the hoodlums behind frequent attacks in the Southeast were criminals who had hijacked the Biafra struggle.
He pointed out that the criminals are now hiding under the agitation and using Kanu’s name to perpetrate violence.
“These hoodlums, operating under the guise of agitation, had embraced “lucrative criminality.” They are now engaging in armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, and idolatry.
The Governor maintained that their activities have nothing to do with the genuine liberation struggle. He, therefore, stated that such crimes are purely driven by greed and lawlessness.
“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. This is because what they now pursue is wealth, not liberation.”
“They (criminals) have become enemies of the people they claim to protect. Who are they fighting for when they kidnap and kill their own people?
“The so-called agitators have transformed into organized criminal gangs.
“They hide in forests, kidnapping innocent citizens for ransom. And they justify their atrocities under the pretext of Biafra,” he said.
Soludo revealed that over 99 per cent of criminals arrested in Anambra in the last two years were Igbos. With more than 70 per cent being non-indigenes of the State.
The Governor regretted that some communities were shielding criminals behind insecurity in the Southeast.
“Insecurity in the region was sustained because some locals perceive security agencies as enemies and criminals as freedom fighters.
“Our people know these criminals. They are our brothers, cousins, and neighbours.
“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?” Soludo bemoaned.
source: Premium Times
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