The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Tuesday appealed to those involved in the killings in South East region of Nigeria in the name of IPOB to desist and stop the carnage forthwith, saying it makes no sense to be killing the same people you claim to fight for, under any guise.
The IPOB leader spoke in a viral video recorded during his appearance at his trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja on Tuesday.
According to Kanu, “I want our people to be calm. I want Biafra land to be calm, just and peaceful. I want Biafra land to be calm and very peaceful. That’s why I’m here. We’re fighting to defend our people and not to kill them. And we’ll continue to do so until we get freedom.”
Kanu spoke against the backdrop of the prevailing belief that the killings in the region is being masterminded by elements working with IPOB and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN),
The region has been beset with unprecedented violence, killings, kidnappings and destruction of properties.
In Anambra State alone, a serving member and another former member of the State House of Assembly were kidnapped and beheaded.
On Monday, ahead of the Tuesday’s appearance of Kanu in court, the Imo State Police Command paraded those they claimed had confessed to the killing of Ahmed Gulak, former aide to former President, Goodluck Jonathan, on his way to Owerri airport in Imo State, in March last year, an incident that shook the entire nation.
During the parade of the suspects who were labelled as IPOB members, Police said they had confessed to the brutal murder of the prominent politician after waylaying him on the way to board his flight to Abuja after a meeting with Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma.