Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to effect the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, from the DSS custody the same way Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, was released from detention by Beninese Government.
Recall that Kanu was abducted in Kenya and rendered to Nigeria in June 2021, and has since then remained incarcerated in the Abuja headquarters of the Department of State Services, DSS, despite court orders for his unconditional release.
COSEYL in a statement issued Tuesday by its President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, claimed that the release of Igboho was facilitated by the Federal Government.
However, Igboho who regained freedom on Sunday, gave credit for his release to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Professor Wole Soyinka; Afenifere Leader, Ayo Adebanjo, among others.
But the Igbo youths socio-political organisation, insisted that the Federal Government played active role in Igboho’s release, urging the President to extend similar gestures to Kanu.
The statement made available to Ikengaonline read in part: “We are very aware that the Federal Government played a significant role to secure the release of Sunday Igboho from detention in Benin Republic.
“It amounts to selective justice for the Federal Government to facilitate and secure the release of Sunday Ighoho from detention leaving Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is an agitator like Sunday Igboho.
“Agitation is not a crime under the law. It is the rights of any citizen who feels shortchanged or aggrieved to agitate for his or her rights.
“We are very surprised that the FG saddled with the responsibility of protecting and providing security for Nigerians will know the right thing to do in other to restore security in the South-East zone which is to unconditionally release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from DSS custody as ordered by the Federal Court of Appeal and will refuse to do it. This amounts to double standard.”
According to COSEYL, the continued illegal detention of Kanu is the major reason behind the prolonged insecurity in the South-East zone.
“The insecurity in the South-East geopolitical zone is because of the unlawful incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu and the marginalisation of the people of South-East in the scheme of things.
“The Federal Government’s marginalisation, maltreatment and unprovoked attacks on Igbos is the major reason for the call for a referendum by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
“People do not just start agitating just for agitation sake. Something serious must have led to the agitation.
“We call on President Tinubu to as a matter of urgency release the leader of the Indigenous people Of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu the same way the FG facilitated the release of President Tinubu’s brother and tribesman, Sunday Ighoho, from Beninese authorities.
“What is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander. The people of South-East are earnestly waiting to receive their son Nnamdi Kanu in their arms.
“His release is paramount to restore the peace and security which has eluded the South-East zone for this long years,” COSEYL said.
