According to a reliable source involved in the negotiations, the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is willing to give up his Biafra agitation if certain conditions are met upon his release.
Kanu, a dual citizen of Nigeria and the United Kingdom, has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his re-arrest in Kenya in June 2021. He is facing charges of treasonable felony related to his separatist campaigns for an independent Biafra.
As part of the ongoing political negotiations for his release, sources reveal that Kanu will be required to meet certain conditions, including:
1. Ceasing all public comments and agitation for Biafra through his franchise radio and other media channels.
2. Disbanding the Eastern Security Network (ESN), a paramilitary group linked to IPOB.
3. Publicly disassociating himself from Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based fugitive who runs a parallel Biafra movement.
If these conditions are met, sources indicate that the federal government may consider releasing Kanu, which could potentially ease tensions in the Southeast region. However, it remains unclear when this may happen.
The development comes after repeated calls from various stakeholders, including lawmakers and governors from the Southeast region, for Kanu’s release to help address the growing insecurity and economic challenges in the region.