Nnamdi Kanu Back In Nigeria For Parents’ Burial?

“Is Nnamdi Kanu back in Nigeria for parents burial?” Is the most asked question at the moment by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), ahead the burial ceremony of the parents of the IPOB leader.

This online news platform had reported earlier that the parents of the IPOB leader, late HRH Eze Israel Okwu Kanu and his wife late Ugoeze Sally Nmeme Okwu-Kanu will be buried on Valentine’s day, Friday, February 14, 2020.

Naija News reports that ahead of the burial ceremony, the governor of Abia State, southeast Nigeria, Okezie Ikpeazu, has directed the state ministry of works to ensure the immediate reconstruction of Eze I. O. Kanu road in Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area (LGA).

Speaking on Radio Biafra during a live broadcast, Kanu threatened to kill the children of the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai and that of the Commissioner of Police in Abia State,  Ene Okon, if any IPOB member is injured or killed during the burial ceremony of his parents.

Naija News recalls that before Kanu disappeared from Nigeria sometime in September 2017, he was being prosecuted on charges bordering on treasonable felony instituted against him as a response to his agitation on the IPOB platform for the secession of an independent Republic of Biafra from Nigeria.

The IPOB leader disappeared from Nigeria following soldiers’ invasion of his home in Afara-Ukwu, near Umuahia, Abia State, in September 2017. Kanu, a dual citizen of Nigeria and Britain, is believed to be currently residing in the United Kingdom.

Ahead of his parents’ burial ceremony, Kanu had vowed to return to Nigeria, where he said he would kill the children of Buratai and thereafter submit himself for arrest if any member of his group is injured or killed on February 14 during the burial ceremony in his father’s compound.

Following this Kanu’s threat, some online news platforms (Naija News not included) have reported that the IPOB leader is in Nigeria and has lodged in an undisclosed hotel in Abia state ahead of the burial ceremony.

The reports sighted on several online news platforms, also had a picture of Mr. Kanu supposedly arriving Nigeria ahead of the burial ceremony.

A fact check by Naija News, shows that the picture above was taken when the IPOB leader arrived the European Parliament building in Brussels, Germany on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, after accepting the invitation of a few Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and not his arrival in Nigeria for his parents burial ceremony in Afaraukwu as there was no sign of Nnamdi Kanu in Nigeria as at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, click HERE for the live updates of Nnamdi Kanu’s parents’ burial ceremony.

Why Supreme Court Sacked David Lyon As Bayelsa Governor-Elect – Nnamdi Kanu

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, says Supreme Court’s declaration of Douye Diri as the governor-elect of Bayelsa State and the sacking of David Lyon, is a means of diverting the attention of Nigerians from the the judgment it delivered in Imo State in favour Hope Uzodinma.

Naija News reports that Kanu made this statement during a live broadcast on Radio Biafra on Thursday evening in reaction to Lyon’s sacking by the Supreme Court.

This online news platform had reported earlier that the Supreme Court on Thursday nullified the election of Lyon as Bayelsa State governor-elect, and his running mate Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo.

Lyon who was to be sworn-in on Friday, February 14, was sacked on Thursday, with the Apex court declaring the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Douye Diri as the authentic winner of the election.

A five-man panel of the Supreme Court led by Justice Mary Odili ordered Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to the All Progressives Congress’ candidates as the winners of the November 16, 2019 governorship election in the state.

Justice Odili asked INEC to issue a fresh certificate to the governorship candidate with the highest votes cast and wide geographical spread in the governorship election held on November 16, 2020.

understands that the Supreme Court sacked Lyon for presenting a running mate with a fake certificate in the November 16, 2019 governorship election in the state.

Reacting to the judgment, the IPOB leader faulted the Supreme Court, stressing that the apex court should have ordered a rerun election in Bayelsa State instead of declaring PDP’s candidate as the winner of the election.

Comparing Nigeria and Somalia, Kanu said Somalia will always be better than Nigeria because the Supreme court in Nigeria “thinks” it has the power to decide electoral outcomes instead of the electoral umpire in the country doing its job.

His words: “Why won’t Somalia be better than Nigeria, where the Supreme court thinks they have the power to decide electoral outcomes. Instead of ordering a rerun of the election, let the whole world know who won the election, no they won’t, they are
in Abuja deciding who wins and who doesn’t win, can you imagine such rubbish?

“I am not a fan of APC, God forbid, I can never be, look at Bayelsa, the same thing. What is important to them is Imo State, the heart of Biafra, that heart, that is what they want not any other place.

“Why they did what they did in Bayelsa is to allow Hope Uzodinma to remain in Owerri, they didn’t do it because they want to prove justice ofcourse not, so they will say PDP how can you complain, didn’t we give you Bayelsa? That’s how Nigerians think,” Kanu fumed.

BIAFRA : Soldiers Storms Nnamdi Kanu’s Residence, Block Entrance Ahead Of Parent’s Burial

The entrance of the family Of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB has been surrounded and barricaded by Soldiers.

Naija News understands also that the soldiers are also harassing residents in the area ahead of Kanu’s parents’ burial scheduled to hold on Friday.

It has been confirmed that Afara Ukwu, Kanu’s community is currently greased with heavy security personnel.

Amnesty International who disclosed this in a statement said it gathered from some persons that “they saw soldiers harassing people at Bank road while another man said he was prevented from going to his house by soldiers who blocked the road entrance to Eze Kanu’s palace.”

Through its director in Nigeria, Osai Ojigbo, AI called for caution and asked the security agencies to “deescalate the rising tension” in the Abia community.

He called on the Nigerian security forces to exercise restraint and prevent a repetition of the September 2017 events which left 20 people dead and some still missing, when the military attempted to arrest Nnamdi Kanu in his home in Afara Ukwu”, Ojigho said.

He stated that as much as law enforcement officers are within their rights to carry out their lawful duties, they should limit the use of force to situations where it is absolutely necessary.

He further called on both IPOB supporters and security forces must at all times respect and protect human rights of all.
“Concerns about possible violence during the funeral must be addressed within the framework of human rights and rule of law.”

There has been a hot exchange between the police and IPOB, which was banned and declared a terrorist organisation last year, since the burial arrangement was announced.

While the group has insisted on attending the event, Ene Okon, Abia commissioner of police, has vowed that the funeral would not take place if IPOB members attempt to attend it.

Kanu, who has been on the run since 2017, is, not contemplating attending, but said the burial will be broadcast live.

BIAFRA : Tension in Umuahia as Nnamdi Kanu buries parents today

Okey Sampson, Umuahia and Okey Sampson, Umuahia

Fear and apprehension have gripped Umuahia,  particularly Afaraukwu area, hometown of leader of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, as police and pro-Biafra groups exchanged verbal missiles over burial of IPOB leader’s parents.

While the police warned it would not like to see IPOB members or pro-Biafran groups near Umuahia and Isiama Afaraukwu during the burial Eze Israel Kanu and Ugoeze Sally Kanu, pro-Biafra groups insisted nothing would make them not to attend the burial.

Daily Sun learnt that the arrival of some members of IPOB outside Abia State for the burial has heightening tension.

A visit to Afaraukwu, yesterday, revealed morbid fear among residents as a result of the stance of the police and IPOB. Some schools had been ordered to close for mid-term break for fear of risking students given the threats by police and IPOB.

A resident who would not want his name mentioned told Daily Sun that some members of the community  would not witness the burial due to insecurity.

“We are packing our things an travelling  to the village,” said a couple who also spoke on condition of anonymity.

Some members of the community, however, continued in their activities not bothered by the outcome of the burial.

IPOB and Ohanaeze Youths Council are, however, not happy with the position of security agencies which they consider provocative and insulting to Igbo traditional.

Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother and spokesman of the family, Prince Emmanuel Kanu,  said they have repeatedly assured that the burial would be peaceful, hence there was no need to deploy security personnel to the venue.  It was gathered that a contingent of three police mobile units have been drafted to Abia to beef up security in Umuahia and environs.

It is expected that the military, which have been patrolling Afaraukwu for days would be on guard to forestall breakdown of law and order.

Abia Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ene Okon,  held meeting with leaders of Afaraukwu community where he promised that police would provide security at the venue to ensure a smooth burial.

He insisted that IPOB must not participate in the burial and demanded that CCTV mounted at strategic government property by unknown persons be removed.

Despite all these, President General of Afaraukwu community, Chief Ikechukwu Ndubueze, has condemned the unnecessary tension the burial has generated.

He said there was no need for people to panic, promising the burial would be peaceful.

Meanwhile, Kanu, has apologised to Abia State Commissioner of Police, Eneh Okon for threatening to deal with his children if anything untoward from the police happens to any member of the pro Biafra group at the burial of his parents.

Kanu’s apologised in a live broadcast  on Radio Biafra, saying anger of the security siege in his community coupled with the outburst of senior security operatives in state against the burial took over him when he made the threat.

Kanu acknowledged that he went too far in the threat, saying “Children should always be left out”.

“This Friday, mourners in Biafra will come together to attend the funeral for my beloved parents, Eze Israel Okwu Kanu and Ugoeze Sally Nmenme Kanu. During this time of mourning, the Indigenous People of Biafra are living in a constant state of fear.

“The Abia State Commissioner of Police is threatening to disrupt the funeral and there continues to be a large military presence in the area, which has a history of inflicting violence against IPOB. This has caused a range of emotions for me. I have now gone from an extreme sense of sadness after losing my parents, to an extreme sense of anger knowing that the mourners are in grave danger”.

BIAFRA : ‘I was wrong’ – Nnamdi Kanu bows, apologises to Abia Police Commissioner, Okon

Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has apologised to the Commissioner of Police in Abia State, Eneh Okon over the threat on his children.

During his live broadcast on Radio Biafra, Kanu had threatened to deal with the children of Okon should anything happen to any member of the IPOB attending his parents’ burial on Friday at Isiama Afaraukwu in Umuahia North Local Government Area.

Kanu gave the reasons he made the threats at first, citing the security siege in his community, coupled with the outburst of senior security operatives.

The IPOB leader said it was wrong for him to have made such comment against the CP’s family members.

Kanu’s tweeted, “This Friday, mourners in Biafra will come together to attend the funeral for my beloved parents, Eze Israel Okwu Kanu and Ugoeze Sally Nmenme Kanu.

“During this time of mourning, the Indigenous People of Biafra are living in a constant state of fear.

“The Abia State Commissioner of Police is threatening to disrupt the funeral and there continues to be a large military presence in the area, which has a history of inflicting violence against the IPOB.”

Kanu said the situation of things in his home town has caused a range of emotions for him.

The IPOB leader, who is not expected to be around when his parents are laid to rest, added that he has gone from an extreme sense of sadness after losing both of his parents, to an extreme sense of anger.

He said this was due to the knowledge that the mourners gathering in his compound were in grave danger.

He added, “In this time of immense grieving and anger, I made threats against the children of the Police Commissioner and other Nigerian officials on my radio programmme, Radio Biafra.

“This was wrong and I sincerely apologize. Children should always be off-limits.”

Kanu, who is reportedly in the United Kingdom pointed out that he intended to bring global awareness to the threats and imminent danger the Government has placed on his family and community.

He said he hoped “that shining a global spotlight on the actions of the Government will prevent them from inciting violence against my people. In doing so, I went too far.”

“It is my great hope that the Indigenous People of Biafra can mourn in peace on Friday and can live in peace every single day forward.”

Kanu escaped Nigeria on September 14, 2017 when soldiers under the Operation Python Dance II stormed his Afaraukwu home and allegedly killed many.

King Israel Kanu and Queen Sally did not return to their community neither did they sit on their royal seat again till they died.

Nnamdi Kanu To Submit Self For Arrest On Parents’ Burial Day, See Why

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has expressed readiness to submit himself for arrest in Nigeria if any member of his group is killed on the day of his parents’ burial.

This online news platform had reported earlier that the parents of the IPOB leader, late HRH Eze Israel Okwu Kanu and his wife late Ugoeze Sally Nmeme Okwu-Kanu will be buried on Valentine’s day, Friday, February 14, 2020.

Naija News reports that ahead of the burial ceremony, the governor of Abia State, southeast Nigeria, Okezie Ikpeazu, has directed the state ministry of works to ensure the immediate reconstruction of Eze I. O. Kanu road in Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area (LGA).

Speaking on Radio Biafra during a live broadcast, Kanu threatened to kill the children of the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai and that of the Commissioner of Police in Abia State,  Ene Okon, if any IPOB member is injured or killed during the burial ceremony of his parents.

Naija News recalls that before Kanu disappeared from Nigeria sometime in September 2017, he was being prosecuted on charges bordering on treasonable felony instituted against him as a response to his agitation on the IPOB platform for the secession of an independent Republic of Biafra from Nigeria.

The IPOB leader disappeared from Nigeria following soldiers’ invasion of his home in Afara-Ukwu, near Umuahia, Abia State, in September 2017. Kanu, a dual citizen of Nigeria and Britain, is believed to be currently residing in the United Kingdom.

Police Reveal Fresh IPOB Plan For Kanu’s Parents Burial

The Abia State Police Command has revealed that members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) are planning to take over the burial ceremony of parents of the leader of the group (Nnamdi Kanu), His Royal Highness Eze Israel Okwu Kanu and wife, Ugoeze Sally Meme Okwu Kanu.

Naija News reports that the late Israel Kanu and Sally Kanu would be laid to rest on Friday, February 14.

In a statement by the Police spokesperson, Geoffrey Ogbonna, the Commissioner of Police, Ene Okon said IPOB is causing tension among residents of Isiama Afaraukwu.

He revealed that more personnel have been deployed to the community to ensure the safety of residents and property and also to stop any moves to truncate the burial process.

The statement read in part: “The Nigeria Police Abia State Command has been inundated with series of intelligence that miscreants disguising as members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) are intending to hijack the burial process of His Royal Majesty Eze and Ugoeze I.O. Kanu of Afara Community Umuahia in solidarity to the leader of the proscribed organisation.

“This intention negates the principles of peace-loving and Christian nature of the deceased in according them befitting burial as respected traditional leader and knights of the Christendom. It has also caused tension and panic among residents/indigenes of Afara Community resulting in movements out of the Community.

“The presence of security officials in and around the Community should not be seen as a threat but a proactive measure to prevent the infiltration of miscreants and hoodlums into the community to actualize their intentions of truncating the burial process and peace hitherto enjoyed by the peace-loving people of Afara community and Abia State at large.

“More so, the Commissioner of Police enjoins the public to disregard the rumours making rounds that he wants to scuttle the burial process whereas he has the good intention of providing security to lives and property of the people.”