Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo group, has applauded the UN’s decision to call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
According to reports, the Kenyan and Nigerian governments were both found guilty by the UN Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention for the unlawful arrest, extraordinary rendition, torture, and ongoing detention of Kanu.
The UN demanded that the Nigerian government release the secessionist right away, without conditions, and compensate him appropriately for his rights violations.
Prior to the UN decision, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide had said there was no justification to the continuous detention of Kanu whereas bandits were being celebrated.
In a statement made available to newsmen by the National President of OYC, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, he said the UN decision had vindicated its earlier stand on the incarceration of the IPOB leader.
He said it was an indisputable fact that Nnamdi Kanu was the least of the headaches facing Nigeria, stressing that, “terrorists have taken over the country, including the once most secured Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
“But security agencies, who apparently are compromised by the authorities in power, are only showing their muscles in the South-East.
“Not long ago, we made a fresh demand for Kanu’s release and this was predicated upon the manner the government was pampering pandits, yet holding Kanu, who is a prisoner of conscience.
“Now that the highest world organization, the UN, has taken a stand on this, it is incumbent on President Muhammadu Buhari to toe the path of honour and order Nnamdi Kanu’s release.
“The international community is watching as this would further demonstrate whether this government has regard for international obligations,” the Ohanaeze youth President further stated.