TheCable

The World Igbo Congress (WIC) has kicked against what it termed the “illegal abduction and international gangsterism” with which Nnamdi Kanu, Biafran separatist leader, was extradited back to Nigeria.

The group said in a statement on Wednesday that Kanu is being treated worse than Boko Haram members, and urged the federal government to protect his fundamental human rights.

Abubakar Malami, the attorney-general of the federation (AGF), said on Tuesday that Kanu, who leads the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was “intercepted through the collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and Security Services.”

“He has been brought back to Nigeria in order to continue facing trial after disappearing, while on bail regarding a 12-count charge against him,” Malami added.

In the statement signed by Basil Onwukwe and Anthony Ejiofor, WIC spokesperson and chairman respectively, the group said Kanu’s treatment “raises the spectre of illegal abduction and international gangsterism that violates the spirit of the process of extradition.”

“The world has taken notice of the disparity in the treatment of Boko Haram insurgents and Fulani herdsmen who have been designated as terrorists by known international agencies,” it said. 

“These killers are routinely arrested, compensated, released and oftentimes absorbed into the Nigerian security services. On the other hand, the Igbo have been subjected to massive shoot-at-sight order, arrests and abduction. 

“We would like to emphasize that no government in the world or any international security agency has designated IPOB as a terrorist organization and Nnamdi Kanu is not on any terrorist watchlist anywhere in the world.”

It asked the government to ensure that Kanu is treated “in accordance with the rules and international conventions that guarantee that his rights and personal safety are protected.”

It also called on the UK government to “stand up and defend the rights” of Kanu, who is also a British citizen.