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Nigeria’s Biafra separatist movement is taking a new turn. The country’s government announced it had arrested and brought home separatist leader, Nnamdi Kanu who had been on the run since 2015.
Kanu is the head of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB movement.
While the Nigerian government is yet to reveal where Nnamdi Kanu was arrested, it is believed he was brought in from Europe where he was reported to have sought refuge.
Kanu’s fugitive status got enacted in April 2017 after he jumped bail. The politician who coined the term ‘Zoological Republic of Nigeria’ remained in hiding for years, despite efforts by Nigeria’s security elements to uncover his whereabouts.
During his time in hiding, he continued to front for the Biafra separatist movement, gathering more support than ever.
His arrest, according to Nigeria’s attorney general, Abubakar Malami, was possible thanks to the intervention of Interpol. Kanu who had been “engaging in subversive activities,” the Attorney General said, “has been brought back to Nigeria in order to continue facing trial after disappearing while on bail”.
Nnamdi is expected to now face earlier charges against him including sedition, ethnic incitement, and treason.
The Nigerian government has however maintained sealed lips over where Kanu was arrested.
Reports say Britain has denied claims he was arrested on its soil, and some British lawmakers have even expressed concerns over his safety.
Kanu’s arrest is not the first. He was detained in 2015, accused of terrorism, defamatory publication, illegal possession of firearms, and several other charges.
It was after his release that he jumped bail, staying at large for two years.
His latest arrest has so far heightened fears of an armed insurgency, like is the case in neighboring Cameroon.
Mimi Mefo Info
How Nigeria laid hands on Nnamdi Kanu
