Chinedu Ikenna from Abia state
As an Igbo man, I write this with a very heavy heart beginning by saying that the arrest and prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is not a political vendetta but a matter of national security, justice and the preservation of law and order and most importantly the unity of our dear country Nigeria. I am saying this with all emphasis that Nigerians must not forget the trail of inflammatory rhetoric, incitement of violence, and outright terrorism that accompanied Kanu’s rise as a separatist agitator. His vile antecedents are not far-fetched, most are so fresh in our minds, and for those that may forget a few clicks on the internet will avail too many to count.
Some of Kanu’s public broadcasts, many of which are on record and admitted into evidence in court, constitute a direct incitement to arson, murder, and rebellion. For instance, Kanu explicitly called for the burning of the NITEL building and other Federal Government properties in Lagos, holding the city and the nation ransom for grievances he pinned on political figures such as Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In his words: “Every Federal Government property in Lagos must be burnt... Tinubu’s hotel must be burnt down.” These are not the words of a peaceful agitator, they are those of a man actively advocating for domestic terrorism.
He encouraged his followers to manufacture weapons, decapitate Nigerian military personnel, and steal their firearms: “From tomorrow anyone wearing army uniform, kill them and take their guns... Cut off their heads.” These incitements led to real-world violence and the loss of innocent lives. It is not only a moral imperative but a constitutional duty to hold Kanu accountable for such calls to bloodshed.
In 2021, a revelation was made by an unnamed IPOB member who stated that Kanu ordered that ESN Commander Ikonso be buried with 2,000 human heads, but only 30 were obtained. It was also revealed that heads of 10 girls were used to prepare charms for same ESN.
Moreover, Kanu went as far as placing bounties on the Heads of public officials. In one broadcast, he stated: “Anyone that brings the head of Wike or takes him down will receive 100 million.” This is a blatant attempt to solicit assassination, a crime that threatens the very foundation of civil governance and public safety.
Kanu's rhetoric is also steeped in ethnic hatred and religious division. He routinely referred to Nigeria as a "zoo" and its people as "wild animals," while accusing the Fulani ethnic group of plans to "conquer" southern Nigeria. These divisive statements are designed to stir up inter-ethnic violence and promote anarchy under the guise of self-determination.
While outside Nigeria, Kanu sought to legitimize armed insurrection. At an event in Los Angeles, he advocated for acquiring guns and bullets, claiming that armed resistance was the only path forward for Biafra. When questioned on logistics or plans for peace, he failed to provide coherent answers, underscoring the recklessness of his campaign.
Let it be clear: Nigeria is not on trial, Nnamdi Kanu is. And the charges against him are not arbitrary. The Federal Government of Nigeria officially proscribed IPOB as a terrorist organization since September 2017. His actions fall squarely within the framework of that designation.
The prosecution of Kanu is not about suppressing free speech, it is about preserving Nigeria as a country. The court must be allowed to do its job, and the evidence, ranging from broadcast CDs to admitted official documents, must speak for itself.
Chinedu Ikenna from Abia state