OHANAEZE TO ARMY: Don’t jeopardise Kanu’s parents’ burial

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on Monday decried the heavy presence of soldiers around the home of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, just a few days to the burial of his late parents.

The group, in a statement by its Deputy Publicity Secretary, Chuks Ibegbu, also warned the Nigerian Army not to engage in anything that would cause panic and endanger the peace of Afara-Ukwu and Umuahia during the burial slated for February 14.

The group also advised the army to respect Kanu’s dead parents by ensuring that there is peace throughout the period of the burial rites, while also admonishing them to go after insurgents instead of creating panic in peaceful communities in the country.

Read also: What NASS leadership discussed with Buhari – Lawan

It would be recalled that Kanu’s father, the traditional ruler of Afara-Ukwu, Umuahia and his mother died in quick succession, months after Kanu’s home was invaded by the military, in an operation dubbed “Operation Python Dance.”

It is still unknown if Kanu, now a fugitive and leader of a proscribed secessionist group, will be coming to the country for the burial.

He was standing trial for treason before he escaped from the country in controversial circumstances after he was granted bail from a long spell in detention.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now