Aduragbemi Omiyale
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Despite the controversies trailing the re-arrest of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr Nnamdi Kanu, the federal government has refused to give details of how it brought back the separatists into the country over the weekend.
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, had said Mr Kanu, who holds dual citizenship, was intercepted and repatriated last Sunday.
He was re-arraigned during the week and the matter was adjourned till July 26.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, while addressing journalists in Lagos on Thursday, did not clarify how Mr Kanu, who jumped bail and fled the country in 2017, was apprehended.
He only said the IPOB leader was nabbed through the professionalism of Nigerian security and intelligence agencies.
“There have been speculations on how this re-arrest was pulled off and in which country the hitherto fugitive leader of the proscribed IPOB was nabbed.
“What we can tell you, once again, is that the re-arrest was made possible by the diligent efforts of our security and intelligence agencies, in collaboration with countries with which we have obligations.
“We continue to respect and honour the obligations,” the Minister told newsmen in Lagos at a news conference.
He said the federal government praised the agencies to collaborate to re-arrest Mr Kanu “in one of the most classic operations of its type in the world.”
According to him, “for over two years, our security and intelligence agencies were on the trail of the proscribed IPOB leader as he lived a five-star life across several countries, travelling on chartered private jets, living in luxury apartments and turning out in designing clothes and shoes.
“Of course, as we all saw, he was wearing an attire made by Fendi, a luxury Italian fashion brand, when he was arrested.”
“We can tell you that the forensic investigation carried out so far has revealed a treasure trove of information on the proscribed IPOB leader and his collaborators,” he said.
However, he emphasised that “none of the collaborators, irrespective of their standing in the society, will be spared. They will all face the full wrath of the law for their activities that challenge our nation’s sovereignty and threaten its unity. No one, no matter how highly placed, is bigger than the country.”
“It is interesting that many are suddenly calling for a fair trial for Kanu as if he didn’t get one before he decided to jump bail and flee.
“However, I can assure you that the fair deal that Kanu denied many of the victims of the violence which he wilfully instigated through his broadcasts and tweets will not be denied him,” he added.
Mr Kanu is facing an 11-count charge of treason, treasonable felony, terrorism and illegal possession of firearms, among others.
At the moment, Mr Kanu is in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
