Buhari’s Ex-Aide Labels Those Calling For Nnamdi Kanu’s Release As ‘Enemies Of Nigeria’

A former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, has strongly criticized those calling for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

In a post on his X account, Ahmad referred to Kanu as a terrorist and condemned any efforts to secure his release, labelling such advocates as enemies of Nigeria.

“Anybody advocating for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, a terrorist and the leader of the proscribed terrorist organization IPOB, should be considered a sworn enemy of this country,” he wrote.

Reacting to the post, a social media user raised concerns about the apparent disparity in the treatment of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), compared to Boko Haram militants.

The user questioned why Kanu, despite his controversial stance, seemed to face harsher treatment than members of the terrorist group who were released and rehabilitated.

@osasuo wrote, “Let me make it clear – I am not a fan of Nnamdi Kanu. But if Boko Haram fighters can be let out of detention and rehabilitated, why is Kanu worse than them? Please tell us.”

The former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, responded by expressing that he might consider supporting Kanu’s release if the IPOB leader undergoes proper rehabilitation.

He emphasized that for such a change to happen, Kanu would need to abandon his disparaging view of Nigeria and its citizens.

Ahmad wrote, “Trust me, I can also be an advocate for his release when he is truly rehabilitated, so that he stops seeing Nigeria as a zoo and we, the citizens, as animals that deserve to be brutally killed.”

Meanwhile, a former Director of the Department of State Services, DSS, Mike Ejiofor, has urged President Bola Tinubu to unconditionally release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

Naija News reports that Ejiofor, during an interview on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Thursday, called for the prioritization of security challenges in Nigeria.

The former DSS Director said Tinubu’s administration should consider a political solution to resolve the insecurity challenges across the Southeast.

According to him, President Tinubu should release Kanu and see if the insecurity in the region will stop because unknown gunmen killing innocent people in the Southeast claim to be fighting for the IPOB leader.

Kanu, a vocal proponent of Biafran independence, was apprehended by the Nigerian government for his secessionist activities, which include calls for Nigeria’s breakup.

Despite court rulings discharging and acquitting him, Kanu remains in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

In June 2021, Kanu was rearrested in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria through an extraordinary rendition process to face ongoing legal proceedings.

His trial has since faced delays, particularly after Kanu demanded that Justice Binta Nyako of the Abuja Federal High Court recuse herself.

The judge complied, referring the case to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment.

Additionally, Kanu has lodged a formal complaint with the National Judicial Council (NJC), accusing Justice Nyako of misconduct in handling his trial.