Releasing Nnamdi Kanu Won’t End South-East Insecurity – Governor Soludo

The Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, has stated that the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and the security crisis in the South-East are two separate issues.

Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for nearly five years since his arrest in Kenya by the Nigerian government, despite continuous calls for his release. Many argue that his freedom could help curb the rising insecurity in the region.

However, speaking during a media chat on Monday to mark his third anniversary in office, Governor Soludo, who has been among those advocating for Kanu’s release, insisted that the two matters should not be linked.

“The release of Nnamdi Kanu for me is different from the issue of security, I separate the two, I don’t link the two,” he stated.

Soludo explained that his push for Kanu’s release is tied to the need for a broader dialogue on the long-term future of the Igbo people. He also reiterated his administration’s efforts to rehabilitate criminals in the state, offering them a chance to surrender and reintegrate into society.

“For the criminals who are kidnappers, we have given them an olive branch—come out, we will train you, we will empower you, we will rehabilitate you. If you don’t, we take you out,” he warned.

The governor also blamed Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed IPOB leader, for exacerbating the crisis. He accused Ekpa and his group of turning the situation into a violent “killing spree.”

Ekpa, who claimed leadership of IPOB after Kanu’s arrest, was detained in Finland last year by authorities on charges related to inciting terrorism.

Soludo dismissed Ekpa’s actions, saying, “I have no idea what he is pursuing other than to swindle people for money.”