The federal government on Thursday spoke on the re-arrest of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, describing the exercise as “one of the most classic operations of its type in the world.”
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the hunt for Kanu took two years of diligent and collaborative efforts of the nation’s security agencies.
He however kept mute on where Kanu was arrested.
His words: “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 will continue to respect and honour the obligations.’’
Meanwhile the government has warned that Kanu’s collaborators in his campaign against the Nigerian state would not be spared irrespective of their status.
He said like Kanu, they would face the full wrath of the law.
“While the investigation continues, we assure you that none of the collaborators, irrespective of their standing in the society, will be spared.
“They will all face the full wrath of the law for their activities that challenge our nation’s sovereignty and threaten its unity.
“No one, no matter how highly placed, is bigger than the country,’’ he said.
He however said the IPOB leader would get a fair trial.
“It is interesting that many are suddenly calling for a fair trial for Kanu as if he didn’t get one before he decided to jump bail and flee.
“However, I can assure you that the fair deal that Kanu denied many of the victims of the violence which he willfully instigated through his broadcasts and tweets will not be denied him,’’ he said.
The minister praised the security and intelligence agencies of the country for a job well done.
Kanu is facing an 11-count charge of treason, treasonable felony, terrorism and illegal possession of firearms, among others.
Recall that he jumped bail in 2017 and left the country.
Upon his re-arrest, he was re-arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday and ordered to be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Service, DSS.
