Catholic priest and Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order the immediate release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Fr. Mbaka made the appeal in a recent sermon, clips of which have gone viral on social media platforms, including YouTube and Facebook.
The cleric said releasing Kanu would be a decisive step toward restoring peace in the South-East region, which has been plagued by unrest, agitation, and separatist violence.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should courageously release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as a step towards restoring peace and security,” Mbaka declared.
He argued that Kanu’s continued detention has only deepened tensions in the region.
The appeal follows growing pressure from civil society groups, leaders, and some political figures who believe Kanu’s release could de-escalate violence and open the door to broader conversations on federalism in Nigeria.
Nnamdi Kanu has been in detention since 2021 following his extradition to Nigeria and despite several court rulings granting him bail or ordering his release, the federal government has kept him in custody, citing national security concerns.
Mbaka’s message adds to the chorus of voices urging President Tinubu to adopt a more conciliatory approach in dealing with separatist agitations, especially in the South-East.
