NIGERIA: South-East Governors Push for Nnamdi Kanu’s Release – Otti

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has disclosed that governors of the South-East are in ongoing discussions with the Federal Government to secure the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Otti revealed this on Thursday during his monthly media interaction with journalists in Umuahia. He said efforts were being made behind the scenes, stressing that not all details could be made public at this stage.

He said: “The information and assurances are not for public consumption. As his governor, I am in the forefront of ensuring that he comes back. The South-East governors are also involved. So, we are discussing.”

The governor emphasized that while Kanu’s case was important, his administration was equally focused on consolidating security across Abia State, particularly as the ember months approach.

“We will also continue to support the agencies, the police, the army, the DSS, with little things to make their lives easier. We are also renovating and expanding the prison, not that we are expecting more criminals to be sent there,” Otti added.

He commended security agencies for maintaining relative peace in Abia but urged residents to remain vigilant.

Otti emphasised: “The state has been relatively peaceful. I want to use this opportunity to thank the security agencies, the army, and the officers who have worked and continue to work very hard. But it is never over yet. We have just launched into the ember months, and we all know what goes with ember months. I am using this opportunity to call on all of us to be more security-conscious, to report whatever we see. We should not keep quiet.”

The governor also gave updates on infrastructure projects, disclosing that President Bola Tinubu is expected to visit Abia next Friday to inaugurate completed road projects in Aba.

“We are almost set to flag off the reconstruction of the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene federal road route, and that should happen in the next few weeks. And of course, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic will be here on Friday next week to commission a pack of routes and seven other roads in Aba,” Otti announced.