The South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and some
Christian leaders have called on the federal government to reverse the
proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The federal government proscribed IPOB in 2017 and branded
it a terrorist group.
The council, and representatives of Igbo Archbishops and
Bishops, in a joint statement issued on Sunday, also asked the government to
release Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB leader, and all members of the group in detention.
Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State
Services (DSS) since July and is standing trial over allegations bordering on
treasonable felony and terrorism.
His arrest and detention have sparked unrest in the region
with members of IPOB enforcing sit-at-home orders in the region in solidarity
with Kanu.
The unrest has also led to the loss of lives and the
destruction of properties.
“Flowing from similar initiatives taken to bring peace to
other troubled parts of the country, we urge the Federal Government and other
stakeholders to explore dialogue and negotiation in resolving critical issues
that threaten national unity, cohesion and development,” the statement reads.
“Accordingly, we
refer to our earlier request for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to the
South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo
Archbishops and Bishops and restate this call even more strongly.
“We are of the firm belief that this act of courage and
statesmanship is not only imperative but will speedily de-escalate the
heightened state of insecurity and dislocation in the South-East zone.
“We also urge President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) and the
Federal Government to take immediate steps to de-proscribe the Indigenous
People of Biafra and release all IPOB members being held in various detention
facilities in Nigeria.”
The south-east leaders further asked the government to
demilitarise the zone and embrace dialogue as a means to quell the tension.
In October, the army launched new exercises — ‘Golden Dawn’,
‘Enduring Peace’, and ‘Still Water’ — across its divisions in the south-east,
south-west, and the south-south to stem the tide of criminality as the yuletide
approaches.
The south-east leaders alleged that the militarisation of
the zone had resulted in clashes and “bloodletting” between the youths and
security agents.
“It has become urgent, imperative and compelling to
de-emphasise the military option and move towards finding a political solution
that will lead to sustainable peace,” they said.
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