3 months ago
33
The American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent, AVID, have urged the new British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, to prevail on the Nigerian government to release Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
AVID urged Starmer to expedite a thorough review of Kanu’s case and help release him from “Nigerian dungeon”.
The group noted that the IPOB leader is sick and is not getting adequate medical attention from the Nigerian government.
In a statement by its president, Sylvester Onyia, and Godson Obiagwu, Secretary, AVID informed Starmer that Kanu was arrested in Kenya in 2021 and illegally extraordinarily renditioned to Nigeria, where he has since remained detained.
They also congratulated Starmer on his victory at the United Kingdom, UK, general elections on July 5, 2024.
The statement reads: “We appreciate your forward-reasoning stance on British imperialism and its impact on Africa with particular reference to Nigeria.
“We know your leadership would be a great success because of your broad scope and depth of knowledge on global affairs as well as your willingness to bring transformational
changes.
“AVID is a not-for-profit Veteran entity composed of citizens of the United States of Igbo ancestry who honorably served or are currently serving in various branches of United States Armed Forces. Our organization was incorporated in the state of New Mexico, and headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.
“We are not affiliated to any political party at home or overseas. We bring to your notice the illegal extraordinary rendition of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, a political activist and British citizen by the Nigeria government from Nairobi Kenya to Nigeria.
“Since 2021, Mr. Kanu has been on isolated detention in Nigeria Department of State Security Services (DSS) because he requested for referendum to create
the Nation of Biafra out of the present-day Nigeria.
“Nnamdi Kanu has significant health problems and he is not receiving adequate healthcare. Just this week, Barrister Aloy Ejimako, a special counsel for Nnamdi Kanu wrote on X, “Yesterday, during our visitation with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, we found him ill, with shortness of breath, low BP & general malaise. For this reason, he requested to see his doctor & we submitted a letter in this regard. Today, the Doctor arrived the DSS but was denied access to #MNK. 4:17 pm – 16/07/2024”
“We need you to expedite a thorough review of this case and help release Nnamdi Kanu from Nigerian dungeon. AVID is knee-deep in support of democratic process everywhere.
“A call for referendum is not a call for war or violence. We have high hope that you will set this British Citizen free from the clutches of cruel and inhumane
treatment meted out to Mr. Kanu by the Nigeria government.”
English (US) ·