Residents of Afaraukwu Community in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on Monday staged a peaceful protest, calling for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The protesters marched through major roads in the community carrying banners and chanting solidarity songs in support of the IPOB leader. Many of the demonstrators were dressed in traditional attire, red caps and headgear, while displaying placards demanding his freedom.
One of the banners carried by the protesters identified Kanu as the Supreme Leader of IPOB and Director of Radio Biafra.
Reacting to the demonstration, Kanu’s Special Counsel, Alloy Ejimakor, called on South-East governors to seek a political resolution to the matter. He urged the governors to engage President Bola Tinubu on the need to resolve the case through dialogue rather than prolonged legal proceedings.
The latest protest comes amid renewed calls by some community leaders, legal practitioners and civil society organisations in the South-East for a political solution to Kanu’s detention, which they believe would promote lasting peace and stability in the region.
Kanu is currently serving a life sentence following his conviction by the Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2025 on terrorism-related charges linked to his separatist agitation. He has appealed the judgment, while he and his supporters continue to deny the allegations against him.
Meanwhile, calls for his release have also attracted international attention. A member of the United States Congress, John James, recently urged the Nigerian Government to grant Kanu a fresh trial in line with constitutional and international legal standards, including access to legal representation, medical care and humane conditions of detention.
The Federal Government has consistently maintained that the judicial process should be allowed to run its course.
