-
Says release of Nnamdi Kanu imperative
From George Onyejiuwa
The Minister of Foreign Affairs (State), Amb. Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, says that the reign of terror must stop as the people of the South-East are not known for killing their brothers and that the people must collectively reclaim their land.
She stated that the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, has become imperative to identify those who are true freedom fighters and those who have been causing mayhem in the Southeast. She emphasised that Alaigbo is facing an existential threat due to the violence.
Amb. Ojukwu, who made these remarks on Tuesday during the 13th memorial anniversary of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, with the theme: “Unifying the Igbo Race,” expressed regret that years after the death of Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, Alaigbo has become a place of violence and insecurity. She lamented that many people have fled their homes and those in the diaspora are afraid to return for fear of being kidnapped by their own people for ransom.
“Alaigbo has become a place of violence, insecurity. You go to communities, you will discover that they are empty. South-East communities are suffering an existential threat today. Kidnappers are kidnapping their own brothers for ransom. I had to speak to the kidnappers who had kidnapped one of the persons who accompanied me to this event today.”
Continuing, she said, “They said that they are fighting for Biafra and declared a sit-at-home, and people who come out for their business are killed. Is this what Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu fought for? People cannot go to their farms because of fear of being kidnapped or killed. Ndigbo are known to be enterprising and their brothers’ keepers. We must collectively reclaim our land because our illustrious sons and daughters have all fled the communities, and we must continue to propagate the ideals for which Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu stood.”
She further noted that the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has become imperative, adding that President Tinubu understands the importance of his release to the Southeast. She stated that his release would help to identify those criminals who are hiding under IPOB to cause violence in the Southeast while masquerading as freedom fighters. She concluded, “We will do whatever it takes to ensure that His Excellency President Tinubu grants our request.”