Ojukwu reechoes Soludo, says Nnamdi Kanu’s release won’t end insecurity in Southeast
The son of late Biafran warlord, Chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu junior, has argued that releasing the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, would not put an end to insecurity in the South-east.
Ojukwu, who was speaking in an interview held at Awka, however, said Kanu’s freedom would possibly create opportunities to douse tensions and encourage people to join hands in addressing insecurities.
He, therefore, urged President Bola Tinubu to release Kanu, noting that it would contribute immensely towards reducing insecurity to a barest minimum in Anambra state.
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“There have been daily violent attacks on innocent individuals by criminals, with attendant high mortality which has now attained near normalcy, considering the development from the big picture perspective, the release of Nnamdi Kanu may not put an immediate end to the insecurity. But it will assuage the rising tension among the populace, who will then join hands to put an end to the rising criminality” he said.
He further urged the stakeholders’ support to eradicate the insecurity, describing it as an “embarrassment.”
“I must admit that the governors have major roles to play, but in the end, my predominant occupation is to see that this situation is confined to the dustbin of history, as quickly as possible by increasing the participation of our royal fathers, our town unions, churches, and others.”
Governor Soludo
Earlier in the week, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has publicly expressed his skepticism regarding the potential impact of Nnamdi Kanu’s release on the ongoing insecurity in the Southeast region of Nigeria.
During a press briefing, he articulated that the current wave of criminality in the area is largely disconnected from Kanu’s original Biafran agitation.
Criminals hijacked struggle
Soludo emphasized that criminals have effectively hijacked the Biafran struggle, using Kanu’s name to justify their illegal activities, which include armed robbery, kidnapping, and other forms of organized crime. He noted that these actions are driven by greed rather than any genuine desire for liberation or independence. The governor pointed out that many individuals involved in these crimes are not only local but also non-indigenes who have exploited the situation for personal gain.
The governor highlighted that both Kanu and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have distanced themselves from these criminal elements. He stated that even if Kanu were released from detention, it is unlikely that those engaged in criminal activities would heed his calls or return to a peaceful movement for liberation. Instead, Soludo argued that these individuals have become entrenched in a cycle of violence and financial motivation, viewing themselves as enemies to the very communities they claim to protect.
Community complicity
Soludo further discussed how some local communities contribute to sustaining these criminals by providing them with food and support. This complicity creates an environment where security forces are viewed as adversaries rather than allies in maintaining peace. He lamented that this perception hinders effective law enforcement efforts and allows criminal gangs to operate with relative impunity.
