Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has expressed optimism that he will regain his freedom before the end of April 2025. Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his extraordinary rendition in June 2021, made this known during a visit by the President-General of the Igbo Community Association (ICA) in Abuja, Engr. Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe.
Speaking from the DSS detention facility, Kanu reiterated his belief in his legal team and the judicial process, asserting that his release was inevitable. According to a statement issued by Ezenekwe after the visit, Kanu voiced his disappointment over the lack of vigorous advocacy from Igbo leaders regarding his plight, urging for renewed commitment to the Igbo cause.
Despite years in confinement, Kanu was reportedly in high spirits, appearing healthier and mentally prepared for the challenges ahead. He maintained that he had committed no crime beyond calling for a referendum on self-determination and advocating for the rights of the Igbo people.
Ezenekwe seized the opportunity to appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emphasizing that Kanu’s continued detention serves as a flashpoint for ethnic grievances and should be resolved in the interest of national unity. He called on Tinubu to demonstrate his commitment to justice by ensuring Kanu’s release, which he argued would foster peace and reconciliation in the Southeast.
"Let this moment mark a turning point in safeguarding the rights, dignity, and future of the Igbo people," Ezenekwe stated, reinforcing the call for stronger Igbo advocacy and leadership in the face of growing tensions.
The upcoming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Kanu’s confidence in an April release will materialize, as legal and political stakeholders continue to weigh in on his case.