Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have threatened total lockdown of the Southeast and other states identified as ‘part of Biafra’ from Monday, August 9, 2021 if its leader, Nnamdi Kanu is not unconditionally released before then.
In a statement signed by the Head Directorate of State, Mazi Chika Edoziem, IPOB alleged Federal government plans to punish and subject Kanu to media trial at the same time keep him in detention till October 2021. The group asked Governors, individuals, and businessmen it earlier listed as collaborators with the Federal government to the abduction and extradition of its leader to pray fervently his health was not endangered or be ready to face the dire consequences.
The statement in part reads
“The global community knows that self-determination is not a crime, the Nigerian government equally know that self-determination does not constitute any known offence stipulated in their constitution and therefore do not have any case against the leader of IPOB, Mazi Kanu.
In recognition of the above fact and truth, the Directorate of State of IPOB, demands herewith an unconditional and immediate release of our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on or before the 8th day of August 2021, failing which we shall commence a weekly Lockdown of Biafra land starting from 9th August, 2021.
For the avoidance of doubt this total lockdown of Biafra land will take place every Monday until our leader is released unconditionally. This weekly lockdown is simply one of the measures we shall put in place to ensure that our leader is released hale and hearty.
To all the Governors, business men in Biafra land and all those who are complicit in the abduction of our leader from Kenya to Nigeria, those of you who contributed money to enable the Nigerian government to kidnap our leader, pray fervently that his health is not endangered and nothing untoward happens to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, because then the land of Biafra shall not accommodate you and the Biafra people.
We affirm our reediness to do all that is necessary to secure the immediate release of our leader. It is completely unacceptable to IPOB to allow our leader to remain in the hands of the enemy up till October 2021.”