The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Ojukwu, has urged the Federal Government to release Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Kanu, who has been in DSS custody since 2021, is facing charges of treason.
Bianca, the widow of the late Odumegwu Ojukwu, made this appeal during the 13th Memorial Anniversary of her husband, held on Tuesday in Owerri, with the theme “Unifying the Igbo Race.”
She also encouraged the South-East people to reflect inwardly and evaluate the unique identity and values that define the Igbo race.
The minister urged the people to support and care for one another, emphasizing the importance of unity.
“In the past, Igbo unions existed in places like Kano, Lagos, and Kaduna, where individuals gathered to address issues affecting them and promote unity,” she said.
She added, “Today, we are honoring Ojukwu, an extraordinary man who championed peace and equality for all.”
She also expressed disappointment that the peaceful environment Igboland was once known for no longer prevails in the region.
There are numerous killings, unrest, and kidnappings happening in the region today, which is a stark contrast to how things used to be,” Ojukwu lamented.
She expressed regret that many people from the region can no longer return home to bury their loved ones or arrange marriages for their children due to the ongoing insecurity.
Ojukwu called on those responsible for these harmful acts to stop and embrace peace, emphasizing that some of the perpetrators are from the region itself. She urged them to allow peace to prevail.
She also condemned the killing of individuals in the name of enforcing sit-at-home orders issued by non-state actors.
She stated that such actions do not reflect the values her husband stood for.
“Many people from the South-East have relocated to cities like Lagos and other areas due to the persistent insecurity in the region,” she said.
Ojukwu expressed dismay, recalling how an Igbo individual in the U.S. told her that donations were being made to purchase burial grounds in America because insecurity in the region prevents people from burying their loved ones at home.
She emphasized that releasing Nnamdi Kanu would significantly contribute to restoring peace in Igboland.
According to her, Kanu’s release would also accelerate development in the region.
In his remarks, the event’s organizer, Chief Raph Uwazuruike, also called on the Federal Government to release Kanu.
Uwazuruike, who leads the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, argued that Kanu’s release would restore peace to the region.
He explained that the memorial service was held to honor Ikemba’s legacy, emphasizing that “the noble ideals he stood for will always be remembered.”
The Guest Speaker, Prof. Protus Uzorma, highlighted that the late Igbo leader had united Igboland and ensured it remained a peaceful region during his lifetime.
Uzorma urged all Igbo people to come together in unity, emphasizing that peace in the region would pave the way for development.
He described the current violence and unrest as a new and troubling trend that does not reflect the true nature of the Igbo.
According to him, the Igbo have always been known for being peaceful, loving, enterprising, and supportive of one another before the wave of killings, unrest, and kidnappings began.
He called on those responsible for the chaos to put an immediate end to their actions to allow peace to be restored.
