A group in the Niger Delta of Nigeria has threatened to cripple oil production in the region if the Federal Government continues to ignore the growing clamor for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Kanu has been held in solitary confinement at the Abuja headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS). He was extraordinarily renditioned from Kenya since June 2021 and have been facing trial. Despite appeals and court orders, including that of the Federal Court of Appeal – for his release, he remains in detention.
The group calls itself the Association of Niger Delta Upland Communities. Their statement was signed by its President, Isah Mohammed Obiri, and Secretary, Wisdom Oteyi. They said they were giving the government a “14-day ultimatum” to release “our leader”.
Threat To Oil Production
The group said it has not only kept the Rumuekpe Manifold, which stores 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day, “non-operational,” but it also has additional capacity to inflict damage to Nigeria’s oil productivity if its demands were not met.
They said “The marginalization and conspiracy aimed at suppressing the Igbo Biafran people must cease immediately. We are united by blood and as one family. Injustice towards our leader is an injustice that affects us all.”
ANDUC says the only reason Mr. Kanu is being persecuted is because of his “enlightening messages …that have awakened the masses”. They accuse the “status quo” of suppressing his views because they – the status quo – are “the true adversaries of Nigeria”.
They promised in the coming days to disclose the identities of all “those responsible for the disgraceful act against an innocent man whose wisdom could benefit all”.
Judge Recommends Political Solution
In last court session on June 20, trial judge Binta Nyako, perhaps concerned by the legal stalemate in Mr Kanu’s case, advised both government counsel and Kanu’s team to consider a negotiated and political settlement to the case.
The matter was adjourned to September 21.
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