— Insists, Release Of Detained IPOB Leader will Defuse Tension, Create Conditions For Peace In South East.
The Association of Igbo Town Unions (ASITU), the foremost grassroots organization in Igboland, acknowledges the recent remarks of Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, regarding the ongoing detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). While we deeply appreciate Governor Soludo’s consistent advocacy for Kanu’s release, we disagree with his assertion that Kanu’s detention is unrelated to the worsening insecurity in the South-East.
For years, ASITU has maintained a firm and informed position on this issue, namely: the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is crucial to ending the wave of violence and insecurity in the region. This is because many of the criminal elements responsible for the killings, kidnappings, and destruction across Igboland justify their actions as part of the struggle for Kanu’s freedom. This reality cannot be ignored. The continued detention of the IPOB leader has, over time, provided an excuse for rogue elements and criminal gangs to continue their atrocities under the guise of agitation.
By granting Kanu his freedom, the federal government would remove the single most exploited pretext for violence in the South-East. This would immediately create an atmosphere where genuine peace efforts can take root, allowing for clear distinctions between genuine agitators and opportunistic criminals. At that point, security agencies would be in a stronger position to deal decisively with those who persist in criminality, knowing that their actions are no longer linked to any broader cause.
Furthermore, as the pan-Igbo grassroots structure covering every square foot of Igboland and cutting across all social, religious, and political lines, ASITU understands the pulse of the people better. Our members, drawn from town unions across all communities in Igboland, have repeatedly affirmed that Kanu’s continued incarceration fuels discontent and emboldens criminal groups within the communities. It is our firm belief that his release will reduce tension, eliminate any moral cover for criminality, and lay the foundation for genuine reconciliation and peacebuilding efforts.
We commend Governor Soludo for boldly reiterating his call for Kanu’s release and for his broader commitment to the future of the Igbo nation. However, we urge him, as a leader and advocate for Igbo interests, to fully align with the grassroots reality—that Kanu’s freedom remains important to restoring stability in the region.
ASITU, therefore, calls on the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately and unconditionally release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in the interest of justice, peace, and national unity. This singular action will significantly alter the security dynamics of the South-East and pave the way for meaningful engagement on the future of Ndigbo within the Nigerian polity.
