The leadership of the Southern and Middle Belt Forum (SMBLF) has condemned the continued incarceration of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, on treason charges by the federal government.
The group stated this in a communiqué issued yesterday at the end of its meeting in Abuja and warned of the implication of Kanu’s incarceration on peace and security in the Southeast Zone.
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The meeting, which was chaired by Chief Edwin Clark, also condemned the setting up of an ethnic militia group by the Miyetti Allah recently in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
SMBLF urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration not to condone the actions, as this poses a serious threat to peace and security.
According to the group, condoning it could force other ethnic nationalities to establish their own militias.
“The SMBLF condemns the continued incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu and its implication on peace and security in the South East.
“The SMBFL therefore calls on President Tinubu to ensure that the rule of law is allowed to prevail on this matter and all court rulings on this matter are obeyed.
“The release of Nnamdi Kanu is in the interest of the entire country, as the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has promised that they will work with him to restore peace in the region.”
They condemned the state of insecurity across the country, lamenting that most recently, “Plateau, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, and Benue states, including the FCT (Federal Capital Territory Abuja), have become some of the most dangerous places to live in.
“It is inconceivable that criminal groups can come in and out of our communities, yet those who are responsible for safeguarding the society cannot get into same hideouts or anticipate their activities,” it highlighted.
According to them, “the worsening state of insecurity again reinforces the call for the rejigging of the whole security architecture of the country; in particular the urgent need for more federal government interest and encouragement towards ongoing state and community policing efforts around the country.”
The leaders in attendance include, the president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; Chief Ayo Adebanjo of Afenifere; the national president of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr. Pogu Bitrus, and the national chairman of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien.
According to the communiqué, the meeting also had in attendance “several elder statesmen, including former governors, former members of the National Assembly, former ministers, and other leaders from the respective zones.”
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