A legal practitioner, Festus Ogun, has lambasted President Muhammadu Buhari for ordering Nigeria’s security units to subdue Biafra and Yoruba Nation agitators, Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho.
In an interview, the human rights activist accused Buhari of “looking elsewhere” due to his administration’s “failure in security and combating terrorism”.
On the secessionists’ incarceration vis a vis the activities of killer herdsmen, bandits, and terrorists, Ogun called the actions of federal authorities “glaringly embarrassing”.
The Principal Partner of Festus Ogun Legal said even the President’s 101-paragraph October 1 speech addressed the Kanu-Igboho matter with less mention of insurgents and terror groups.
“One would expect that given the length at which the President went in addressing the unjust and indiscriminate clampdown on Igboho and Kanu, he would extend his strong words on the criminal activities of terror groups holding the peace of our country to ransom.
“I find it very disturbing, condemnable and suspicious. Would the President’s muteness validate the fears that he is sympathetic towards terrorists? Or was it a sheer costly omission?
“Many Nigerians would be tempted to pitch towards the former as a result of the deep love and affection the President has shown towards Fulani herdsmen and terrorists, in words and actions, over the years.
“I think this is a dangerous path that could compound whatever is left of our tottering structure as a country”, Ogun warned.
Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja.
The Radio Biafra founder’s trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja will resume this month. Justice Binta Nyako had turned down Kanu’s legal team’s application for his transfer to Kuje Prison.
A security source informed newsmen that Kanu’s foot soldiers, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in particular, are on standby to breach any Correctional Centre the government keeps him.
The Nigerian government repatriated Kanu in June days after he was intercepted in Kenya. Years earlier, he jumped bail in Nigeria after government forces invaded his family home, killing associates.
In the case of Igboho, real name Sunday Adeyemo, he was stopped at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou in July before his planned trip to Europe.
The Yoruba Nation agitator fled Nigeria after he was declared wanted for stockpiling arms and threatening to wage a war against the state.
The federal government wants him repatriated from Benin Republic to face charges in Nigeria. A former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai is now the country’s Ambassador.
Igboho played into the hands of authorities when he boasted to community leaders that he could purchase arms for them against Fulani herdsmen. The comment was recorded and posted on social media.
In January 2021, Ihboho chased out the Sarkin Fulani of Igangan, Salihu Abdulkadir, and his kinsmen for allegedly orchestrating the kidnap and murder of scores of Yoruba people. Oyo Governor, Seyi Makinde then ordered his arrest.
Igboho once threatened that if the government sent 1,000 policemen to confront him, 100 would not return – also caught on tape. His trial continues at the Cour De’appal De Cotonou in Benin Republic.
In September, Justice Ladiran Akintola of Oyo State High Court ordered the DSS to pay Igboho N20billion.
The fine is for damages done to Igboho’s Soka residence in Ibadan during the July 1 invasion by operatives. A cache of arms and ammunition was found.
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