By Bridget Chiedu Onochie (Abuja), Joseph Wantu (Makurdi) and Ann Godwin (Port Harcourt)
• Ortom seeks similar treatment for Miyetti Allah, Wike urges justice
The Federal Government has vowed to expose and prosecute those backing leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who issued the threat yesterday while speaking on Kanu’s re-arrest in Abuja, insisted that the full wrath of the law would be visited on those collaborating with the separatist leader to undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and unity.
According to him, none of the collaborators, irrespective of social status, would be spared, stressing that no individual or group is bigger than a country.
The Biafra chief activist was first arrested and charged in 2015 on an 11-count revolving around treasonable felony, terrorism and illegal possession of firearms.
He later jumped bail in 2017 and left the country following an alleged raid on his Abia State country home by the military.
Ever since his whereabouts have been subjecting to conjecture prior to his re-arraignment earlier in the week and consequent remand in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending resumption of proceedings on July 26.
“We can tell you that the forensic investigation carried out so far has revealed a treasure trove of information on the proscribed IPOB leader and his collaborators. This was made possible through the collaboration of Nigerian security and intelligence agencies,” the minister stated.
IN a similar vein, Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has charged the Presidency to apply the same treatment on leaders of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore that have reportedly been terrorising Nigerians.
The governor, while throwing the challenge yesterday in Makurdi, argued: “If the Nigerian government has the capacity to arrest Kanu, then why are they not exhibiting the same energy to apprehend Fulani leaders responsible for killing many people in the country?”
He continued: “Leaders of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore are here with us and have admitted to their members being involved in several killings across the country, particularly in Benue State.null
“It is regrettable that Kanu, who is fighting a just cause for his people, could be arrested while leaders of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore are walking about free.
“Let there be justice and the only way to do this is to arrest the leaders of the herdsmen, who have caused so much pain and suffering to our people.”
FURTHER, Governor Nyesom Wike advised the Federal Government to follow due process in the retrial of the IPOB leader.
He added that conscientious efforts must be made to dismiss the feeling that Kanu was being prosecuted because he is from a particular section of the country supposedly antagonistic of the current administration.
Wike made the appeal yesterday during a live programme in Port Harcourt, stating that Kanu’s differences with Rivers notwithstanding, fairness must be prioritised in the whole process.
