The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has warned the federal government not to provoke it into taking up arms by continually keeping its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The group added that its angst would be felt if the Nigerian government failed to produce Kanu in court, dead or alive to continue his trial.
The group in a press release signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Emma Powerful, stated that it was gradually losing patience with Nigerian government for keeping its leader, who they alleged was abducted during the invasion of his home in Umuahia, last month.
IPOB also condemned the continued denial of the military that Kanu was not with it, citing a recent interview by the Nigerian Defence Minister, General Mansur Dan Ali on Channels Television in which he confirmed that Nigerian Army went in search of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in his home.
The group said this was in total variance with previous statements of the military, where they denied invading Kanu’s home. It noted that since the invasion on 14th September, Kanu and his parents have not been located.
“It is, therefore, incumbent upon civilised nations of the world and organisations alike to ask the APC led Nigerian government why they decided to send armed soldiers to invade Kanu’s residence.”
The group spoke further that, “It is therefore reasonably expected to conclude that the army is also lying about not having our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in their custody.
“Is the world waiting for Biafrans to pick up arms to demand the release of the body of their leader before they know IPOB is serious about ascertaining what the Nigerian government did with him?”
“One outcome is guaranteed in all this, should Nigeria not produce our leader in court on the 17th of October 2017, there will be inevitable confrontation on a scale the human mind cannot imagine, at a time and place of our choosing. By nature we are peace loving people, Nigeria should stop provoking us into armed conflict. They should bring our leader to court.”