Nnamdi Kanu: IPOB threatens lock down in the South East

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has threatened a “weekly total lockdown” in the South East from August 9, 2021, should the Federal Government fail to release its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, unconditionally before August 8.

IPOB’s Head of Directorate of State, Chika Edozien, in a statement made available to journalists n Enugu on Wednesday , also warned all those who allegedly contributed to the arrest of Kanu to continue praying that nothing untoward happens to him.

The group opposed the October adjourned date for the continuation of Kanu’s trial, stressing that it would not allow him to remain in custody until that date.

It stated that the lockdown would take place “every Monday until Kanu is released,” stressing that the measure was one way to ensure the unconditional release of Kanu, hale and hearty.

The statement read in part: “The Directorate of State of IPOB is very much aware of the strategy of the government of Nigeria to subject Kanu to media trial and to convict him in the public before giving that public conviction an official stamp of the judicial system.”

Kanu was extradited to Nigeria on Sunday, June 27 to face trial as announced by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

He was re-arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, June 29 and ordered to be remanded in the custody of the DSS, while the case was adjourned till July 26 and July 27.

The DSS however failed to produce him for the court appearance, citing ‘logistical issues’. The case was then adjourned to October.