I'll soon regain my freedom, Nnamdi Kanu tells Igbo leader who visited him

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By Madu Obi

Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has said that he is confident that he will be granted bail this April. Kanu has been in detention for about four years.

The IPOB leader expressed the confidence when the President-General of Igbo Community Association (ICA), in Abuja, Engr. Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, visited him at the Department of State Services (DSS), Abuja where he is being detained.

Ezenekwe said after the visit that Kanu was disappointed over what he described as lack of strong Igbo leadership, and called for the IPOB leader's release.

He said he was surprised that Kanu was upbeat, jovial and has even added weight, despite his travails.

His statement read: "Today at the DSS headquarters in Abuja, I had the honor of visiting Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). During our discussion, he appeared healthier and more relaxed, and reaffirmed his resilience despite his current circumstances.

He called for a referendum, describing it as a pivotal step towards self-determination, and reiterated his firm belief that he has committed no offense other than urging our people to awake from their slumber.

He communicated a strong message of self-assurance, and said that he is taking his prescribed medications and remains in good spirits.

More significantly, he expressed disappointment at the apparent leadership vacuum within the Igbo community—a neglect that has allowed our people’s voice to fade at a critical moment."

"Kanu expressed unwavering confidence in his legal team, and his hope for release by the end of April 2025. This resonated as a powerful testament to his dedication and fortitude."

Ezenekwe said the meeting served as a vital reminder of the shared struggle for recognition, justice, and the advancement of Igbo interests in Nigeria.

He called on President Bola Tinubu to release Kanu, saying that doing so will show the president's commitment to justice.

"In light of this encounter, I issue an earnest appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I call on him to draw upon the spirit of democracy and commitment to justice that defined his own struggles, and to take decisive action in securing the freedom of our brother and hero, Nnamdi Kanu.

Let this moment serve as a turning point—a renewal of our collective determination to safeguard the rights, dignity, and future of the Igbo people," Ezenekwe stated.