Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has revealed how he escaped during the military clamp down on the secessionist group. I
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has revealed how he escaped during the military clamp down on the secessionist group. In an interview with Israeli TV channel 1, Kanu said he was smuggled out of the country with the help of relatives. IPOB was the target of a Nigerian army operation code-named Operation Python Dance, launched in the south-east. While the group was banned, Kanu went out of public glare until two weeks ago when video of him in Israel resurfaced on social media.
In the interview, Kanu alleged that 28 persons were killed during the army operation, which was largely felt around his father’s residence in Umahia, Abia state.
“When I came out of prison, I continued to preach to my people. I continued to practise my Jewish religion. And one day, the Nigerian army came to my house to kill me. They killed 28 people in their attempt to kill me. My people evacuated me before they came to my bedroom. They took me away and smuggled me out of Nigeria. I needed some time to recover which I did and then, had to make my way to Israel.”
The IPOB leader added that he feels relieved that he managed to make it to Israel, the only place I feel safe in the worldas he doesn’t feel safe in England where he lived for years.
Nnamdi who is also facing trial for alleged treason and was granted bail in April 2017 by a federal high court sitting in Abuja, also spoke on why he jumped bail.
“Their problem is Nnamdi Kanu and the solution to their problem is referendum. They gave me conditional bail to cage me and IPOB but I refused. We are not going to vote because we’re too intelligent for that nonsense. I am not interested in the politics of Biafrans, all I want for my people is freedom” he was quoted as saying in a statement by Emma Powerful, IPOB spokesman.
Kanu said the Igbo have been voting for years, adding that “absolutely nothing” has come out of it. He also blamed the region’s leaders for the travails of IPOB.
“It was Ohaneze Ndigbo and south-east governors that stopped federal government dialogue with IPOB. For that, the ban on Ohaneze Ndigbo stands still tomorrow. Anywhere or anytime Ohaneze Ndigbo gathers for anything in Biafra land, it should be disrupted. Being an IPOB is a very unique privilege,” Powerful quoted him as saying.
The Cable
