The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, has announced the rearrest of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

He made the revelation on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, while briefing journalists. He said the IPOB leader who had jumped bail will continue his trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja where he is defending charges such as management of an unlawful society, treasonable felony, terrorism, and unlawful possession of firearms.

On how Nnamdi Kanu was arrested, Malami said it was a collaborative effort between Nigerian security agencies and Interpol.

Meanwhile, the IPOB leader appeared before Justice Binta Nyako, the presiding judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, amidst tight security with combat-ready security operatives stationed at the Federal High Court.

In court, the Department of State Services (DSS) prayed the court to remand the IPOB leader in their custody. The request was granted by Justice Binta Nyako, who ordered that Nnamdi Kanu be remanded in the custody of the DSS until July 26, 2021, when the trial, which began on the 14th October 2015 will be continued.

The adjournment was mainly because the defendant appeared in court without his defense attorney and Mazi Kanu is expected to contact his lawyers by July 26 with his trial will resume.

Meanwhile, the news of the arrest of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has generated a lot of reactions from Nigerians across the board. While some have hailed the federal government and the security agencies involved in the arrest for their decisiveness, others have lambasted the FG for treating IPOB, harshly because of its links with the South East, arguing that Boko Haram, Bandits, and Fulani Herdsmen have been given a fairer treatment.

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Apex-Igbo Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide while reacting to the news of the rearrest of Nnamdi Kanu released a statement where it praised the FG for the ‘timely’ recapture of the IPOB leader.

The statement read:

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo calls for calm and cautioned Igbos to desist from any form of protests and processions that will bring more catastrophe for Southeastern Nigeria.

“The re-arrest of Nnamdi Kanu the leader of IPOB is the beginning of the end of violent agitations in southeastern Nigeria and a lesson to others that, deviation from the nonviolent agitations contradicts what Igbos are known for, and self-determination should not be used for purposes of fortune and fame-seeking.

“Nnamdi Kanu’s refusal to adhere to the advice of Igbo leaders, Elders, and Political leaders is the outcome of what had befallen him, he made a lot of enemies especially those that would have saved him and Federal Government will never lose grip on him again. We don’t think that any Igbo leader will stick out his/her neck for him, his re-arrest will eventually bring peace and stability to the region and averted another civil war that was raging on.

“Federal Government should handle the situation carefully because his large followers of Ipob wouldn’t resort to violent revolts, his trial should be strictly based on the laws of the land, they shouldn’t kill him because it will destabilize the entire country.”

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, said the Nigerian government should ensure that Kanu faces the consequences of his actions this time.

“Finally Nnamdi Kanu has been brought back home. We must commend the Nigerian government, Interpol for its wonderful work. They have demonstrated that it’s a matter of time, though long overdue at least, it’s better late than never.

“Finally, he has to face the music probably, and I’m sure this will serve as a lesson to our brothers in the Southeast that never again should they fold their hands and allow a common criminal to be talking as if he speaks for them out of fear.”

“I’m sure the judiciary would do the needful and ensure he faces the proper music so that at the end of the day it will serve as a deterrent to the like of him that may want to think or behave the way this mad man has done over time.” 

The Archbishop of Enugu Anglican Province, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, thinks that Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest is a good development as it would reduce the tensions in the East but warned that nothing should happen to the IPOB leader. He said:

“I think his extradition is a good development, which will bring a little bit of calm and peace to the boys he has been instigating and to Igboland so that we can have a peaceful atmosphere.

“Nnamdi Kanu jumped bail. He did not appreciate Senator Abaribe and others who secured the bail for him. Rather, when he was abroad, he was instigating people to cause confusion.

“We warned him several times to stop that. It’s not only that, we felt that if you are a leader, you should come down here so we can discuss with others on how to solve the problem. First of all, settle this case for which you jumped bail.

“We will not allow him (Nnamdi Kanu) to be eliminated. Let him face his trial and judgment. They cannot eliminate anybody like that. If they eliminate him, then, they are looking for more trouble.”

The Special Adviser to Lagos Governor on Drainage and Water Resources, Joe Igbokwe took to social media to celebrate Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest. He captioned a picture post he shared of himself kneeling and raising his hands in worship to God with the following;

“To God be the glory. May the Souls of hundreds of young men who lost their lives in the South East rest in perfect peace. Amen! An Endless Alleluia!” THE JUDGEMENT DAY COMETH. MAY THE SOULS OF TGE DEPARTED REST IN PERFECT PEACE.”