Jewish Religious Leaders Urge Nigeria’s President to Release Nnamdi Kanu Amid Health Concerns

Jewish priests under the Unique Forum of Orthodox Judaism have written an open letter to Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The priests argue that freeing Kanu would help restore peace and stability, particularly in Nigeria’s Southeast, where tensions have been rising since his detention.

Led by Rosh Nasishemtov Ihe Madunweiheyah, the Jewish leaders visited the Isiama Afaraukwu palace, the ancestral home of Kanu’s late father.

Madunweiheyah, who co-signed the letter with Elder Okamulata Egbu, said Kanu’s continued detention is unjust, adding that “he was only seeking the good of his oppressed people” and committed no crime to warrant incarceration.

The letter emphasized that Kanu’s release could heal Nigeria’s divisions and calm unrest in the Southeast.

“We humbly appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his cabinet to see reasons to release our son and brother Nnamdi Kanu for peace to reign in this great nation,” the letter read.

In addition to the Jewish leaders’ plea, Kanu’s family has expressed renewed concerns over his deteriorating health.

His sister, Princess Nnenne Kate Kanu, reiterated the family’s appeal for Kanu to receive medical care outside the Department of State Services (DSS) detention facility in Abuja, where he has been held in solitary confinement since 2021 after being extradited from Kenya.

“His physician who visited him at the DSS headquarters said that he needed to be further examined outside the detention facility where there is sophisticated equipment,” Princess Kate stated.

She also noted that Kanu’s predictions about Nigeria’s current challenges had come true, lamenting that the government had ignored his warnings.

Kanu’s family and supporters argue that his detention is politically motivated and not based on any wrongdoing.

“He seeks the good of all,” said Princess Kate, adding that Kanu does not support the violence in the Southeast and wishes to see an end to the killings caused by herdsmen in Biafra land.

The Jewish priests held a prayer session at the palace, where Kanu’s late parents, HRM Eze Israel Kanu and Ugoeze Nnenna Kanu, are buried.