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The family of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra(IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has warned the Federal Government not to maltreat their son who has been remanded in the custody of Department of State Services(DSS).
Speaking with newsmen in Umuahia, the Abia State capital on Tuesday, his younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, said his elder brother is on the part of truth and has not committed any crime to deserve any persecution.
He said the IPOB leader was only demanding the freedom of Biafrans which is their fundamental human right, hence, his rights should be respected.
Emmanuel, who spoke on behalf of the family, warned the Nigerian government to handle his brother with caution, adding that the whole world is watching.
“My brother (Kanu) has awoken the consciousness of Nigerians about the goings-on in the country.
“He stood for the truth, and heaven is on the part of anyone standing for the truth. My brother committed no crime, and the whole world is watching,” Emmanuel added.
Meanwhile, Secretary-General of Uche Okwukwu led faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, has described the re-arrest of Kanu as the beginning of the end of violent agitations in South Eastern part of the country and a lesson to others.
In a statement on Tuesday, Isiguzoro said: “Deviation from the non-violent agitations and wasting of the innocent blood of the Igbo youths contradicted what Igbos are known for, and self-determination should not be used for purposes of fortune and fame-seeking.”
He added: “Nnamdi Kanu’s refusal to adhere to the advice of Igbo leaders, elders, and political leaders is the outcome of what had befallen him.
“He made a lot of enemies, especially those that would have saved him and the Federal Government will never lose grip on him again. We don’t think that any Igbo leader will stick out his/her neck for him, his re-arrest will eventually bring peace and stability to the region and avert another civil war that was raging on.
“Federal Government should handle the situation carefully because his large followers of IPOB would resort to violent revolts, his trial should be strictly based on the laws of the land, they shouldn’t kill him because it will destabilize the entire country.”