Don’t Manhandle Our Son, Kanu’s Family Tells FG

The family of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has asked the Federal Government not to manhandle their son and the Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), who is currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
His younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, who spoke in Umuahia, yesterday, said Nnamdi stood on the part of the truth and committed no crime to deserve any persecution.
According to him, Nnamdi was only asking for the freedom of Biafrans which is their fundamental human rights.
Hence, his right should be respected.
He said the whole world is watching on how the Federal Government would handle him.
Emmanuel noted that his brother had awaken the consciousness of Nigerians about the goings-on in the country.
“My brother stood for the truth, and Heaven is on the part of anyone standing for the truth.
“He committed no crime, and the whole world is watching,” Emmanuel added.
Meanwhile, there has been uneasy calm across Umuahia, following the news of Kanu’s aresst.
People were observed discussing the matter in hushed tones with some people still bewildered about the entire scenario, while some doubted the reality of the news.
However, the Igbo National Council (INC), yesterday, said that the Federal Government should tread with caution on the arrest and extradition to Nigeria of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The INC President, Chilos Godsent, made this statement in Owerri, hours after the reports of the arrest of Kanu.
According to him, the IPOB’s leader arrest could spark protests if not well managed.
The INC said, “We have read with rude shock the news of the arrest of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), and its extradition to Nigeria.
“We wish to advise the Federal Government of Nigeria to tread with caution as the arrest and detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is capable of heightening the tension in Nigeria in view of the fragile state of the Nigeria State. The arrest may trigger heavy protest in many parts of Nigeria if cares is not taken in handling the issues.”
“INC, therefore, advises the Federal Government of Nigeria to seek for a more peaceful means to resolve the root causes of the agitations by the various component ethnic nationalities in Nigeria seeking for proper structuring of Nigeria and grant of rights to self-determination.
“On the foregoing, the Igbo National Council (INC) Worldwide is still studying the situation and will respond appropriately at the right time,” INC said.
Similarly, the apex Igbo socio-political organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo called for calm over the re-arrest of Nnamdi Kanu.
The Igbo group also urged the Federal Government to handle his trial with caution and due legal procedure.
Ohanaeze cautioned Igbos to desist from any form of protest that will endanger the South-East and Nigeria.
The organisation’s Secretary-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, made the call in reaction to the rearrest of the IPOB’s leader.
In a statement he issued, Isiguzoro said, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo calls for calm and cautions Igbos to desist from any form of protests and processions that will bring more catastrophe for Southeastern Nigeria.
“The re-arrest of Nnamdi Kanu the leader of IPOB is the beginning of the end of violent agitations in southeastern Nigeria and a lesson to others.
“Deviation from non-violent agitations contradicted what Igbos are known for. Self-determination should not be used for purposes of fortune and fame-seeking.
“Nnamdi Kanu’s refusal to adhere to the advice of Igbo leaders, elders and political leaders is the outcome of what had befallen him, he made a lot of enemies, especially those that would have saved him and the Federal Government will never lose grip on him again.
“We don’t think that any Igbo leader will stick out his/her neck for him, his re-arrest will eventually bring peace and stability to the region and avert another civil war that was raging on.
“The Federal Government should handle the situation carefully because of his large followers, his trial should be strictly based on the laws of the land, they shouldn’t kill him because it will destabilize the entire country.”