Igbo Communities in Canada Urge Tinubu to Release Nnamdi Kanu Over Worsening Health and Insecurity in Southeast

The Igbo communities in Canada have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to authorize the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), citing his deteriorating health and the alarming level of insecurity in Nigeria’s Southeast region.

In a statement signed by the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Canada, Chief Dr. Anicetus Nwizundu (Okanga Ogadagidi), and made available to ABN TV, the group expressed grave concern over Kanu’s continued detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) for more than four years. The organization emphasized that repeated appeals for his release have gone unheeded by successive administrations.

“We, the Igbo people living in Canada, stand united in calling upon the Federal Government of Nigeria to intervene compassionately and facilitate the unconditional release of our brother, Nnamdi Kanu,” the statement read.

According to Chief Nwizundu, Kanu’s health has drastically declined while in custody. He cited reports from medical experts, including cardiologists, who have raised concerns about the IPOB leader’s wellbeing.

“We implore the Federal Government to act swiftly before it is too late. Prolonged detention under these circumstances could endanger his life,” he warned.

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Canada president explained that Kanu’s arrest and ongoing incarceration stemmed from his persistent advocacy against what he described as the marginalization of the Igbo people in the Nigerian federation. He noted that the Igbo community does not seek conflict but rather a fair and just society where every ethnic group enjoys equal rights.

“The Igbo do not seek trouble; they yearn for recognition, equality, and peace as Nigerians. Yet, they are treated as second-class citizens in their own country,” the statement lamented.

Chief Nwizundu also decried the worsening state of insecurity in the Southeast, describing it as “terrifying and disheartening.” He noted that daily reports of kidnappings, killings, and economic paralysis have turned once-thriving towns into zones of fear and uncertainty.

“There is no safety in Igboland today. One cannot travel without fear or sleep peacefully at night. The insecurity has crippled trade and driven many families into hardship,” he said.

The Canadian-based Igbo group maintained that releasing Nnamdi Kanu could serve as a catalyst for restoring peace and stability in the region. According to the statement, many of the violent incidents in the Southeast are linked to agitation surrounding Kanu’s prolonged detention.

“With his release, we envision the correction of many wrongs afflicting our homeland, paving the way for reconciliation, unity, and sustainable peace,” Chief Nwizundu added.

Since his re-arrest in Kenya in 2021 and subsequent repatriation to Nigeria, Nnamdi Kanu has remained in DSS custody facing multiple charges, including treasonable felony. Although several courts have ruled in favor of his release on different grounds, the federal government has continued to appeal these decisions.

Kanu’s detention has remained one of Nigeria’s most divisive political and human rights issues, drawing criticism from both local and international observers. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), have repeatedly called for his release or a fair, transparent trial.

While the call from Canada adds to growing international pressure, opinions within Nigeria remain sharply divided. Supporters view Kanu as a symbol of self-determination and resistance against oppression, while critics regard him as a secessionist leader whose rhetoric incited violence and instability.

As the debate continues, Chief Nwizundu urged the Tinubu administration to adopt a reconciliatory approach rather than one rooted in punishment.

“We believe that President Tinubu has the opportunity to write his name in history by choosing peace over repression,” he stated.

He concluded by calling on the government to prioritize dialogue, national unity, and the protection of human rights as core principles of governance.