On Friday, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu’s release from detention was demanded by the United Nations. This was denounced by the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNGs).
On June 24, the Nigerian and Kenyan governments were accused by the UN Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention for the arrest, extraordinary rendition, torture, and ongoing detention of the IPOB leader.
Therefore, the UN requested that the activist be quickly and completely released by the Nigerian government.
The international body also ordered Kanu to receive compensation from the Federal Government for claimed rights violations.
The IPOB leader is currently on trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja for an alleged treasonable offence after being returned to Nigeria on June 27 of last year.
He will return to court in November for the continuation of his trial.
The coalition, which comprised 52 northern groups, branded the call by the UN as bias.
The spokesman for the coalition, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, who addressed journalists at a media briefing in Abuja, accused the UN of favouring other regions in the country.
He asked the federal government to reject the demand.
“We demand the United Nations to immediately withdraw the call for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu from the lawful custody of the Nigerian authorities.
“The CNG cautions the United Nations that their intervention, exclamations and actions should never be drawn to discountenance the effort of the Nigerian state to protect citizens from violence and to impose law and order.
“We, therefore, call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to maintain the sanctity, dignity and integrity of Nigeria and uphold and defend its sovereignty by resisting and rejecting such demands from any quarter.
“Lastly, it is important to caution the United Nations to weigh the impact and consequences of backing these perpetrators of indiscriminate violence, wanton destruction and collective mayhem, that fervently hope it will engulf the entire country and bring about another civil war and mass killings and suffering of innocent people.
“As the most populous country on the continent and one that continues to influence peace and stability across the sub-continent, any breakdown of law and order will only compound the security and humanitarian situations in the region.”
