The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, recounted how the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, was arrested last Sunday, June 27.
Meanwhile, there have been speculations as to where he was extradited from. While his brother claimed he was arrested in Kenya, unconfirmed sources allege he was picked up from the UK.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, July 1, the Minister said some countries and intelligence agencies, with which it has obligations, assisted to arrest Kanu. He however was silent on the country that offered assistance.
“Finally, there have been speculations on how this re-arrest was pulled off and in which country the hitherto fugitive leader of the proscribed IPOB was nabbed.
“What we can tell you, once again, is that the re-arrest was made possible by the diligent efforts of our security and intelligence agencies, in collaboration with countries with which we have obligations. We continue to respect and honour the obligations,” he said.
He further revealed:
“It will interest Nigerians to know that for over two years, our security and intelligence agencies were on the trail of the proscribed IPOB leader as he lived a five-star life across several countries, travelling on chartered private jets, living in luxury apartments and turning out in designing clothes and shoes.
“This was made possible through the collaboration of Nigerian security and intelligence agencies. Kanu, who is facing an 11-count charge of treason, treasonable felony, terrorism and illegal possession of firearms, among others, jumped bail in 2017 and left the country.
“On Tuesday, Kanu was re-arraigned in court and ordered to be remanded in the custody of the DSS, while the case was adjourned till July 26-27, 2021.
“Gentlemen, the Federal Government wishes to commend the Nigerian security and intelligence agencies, who collaborated to re-arrest the proscribed IPOB leader in one of the most classic operations of its type in the world. We commend the professionalism, diligence, patriotism and painstaking efforts of our security and intelligence agencies.
“We also thank the sister international agencies that collaborated with us to pull off this arrest,” he said.
