Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, has said an ongoing investigation showed that some prominent individuals including a yet-to-be-named member of the National Assembly, were sponsoring Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Adeyemo “Igboho,” both secessionist agitators.
Nigeria’s unity remains non-negotiable, Buhari said in a presidential address to mark Nigeria’s 61st Independence Day anniversary on Friday, Oct. 1.
“We are vigorously pursuing these financiers including one identified as a serving member of the national assembly,” the President said.
“This is a clear example of how people abandon their national leadership positions for their selfish gains.”
Buhari said his government will improve security architecture, reduce enabling environment for criminality to thrive and eliminate opportunities for terrorism financing.
He has often been criticised for lopsided appointments and ineptness to improve the standards of living as fuelling secessionist movements in the country, especially in the southern regions.
About Kanu and Igboho
Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is currently being held in an undisclosed detention for charges bordering terrorism and treason.
The IPOB leader who was operating from abroad was arrested and brought into the country in July after being tracked by the government since 2017.
IPOB wants the southeast dominated by the Igbos, to split from Nigeria but the Nigerian government outlawed the group in 2017 for ‘terrorist’ activities.
The government also blamed the separatist group for recent attacks on government institutions and security outposts in the region; the group had denied wrongdoings.
Igboho, a Yoruba separatist from the Southwest, is accused of plotting a violent insurrection in Southwest Nigeria. He is still being allegedly held in a Beninese facility.
A Cotonou court had turned down the Nigerian government’s request to extradite him.
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