President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday told Southeast leaders to allow the court system to determine the fate of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Independent People of Biafra, which is fighting for independence for the region.
Buhari said this in response to a request from the leaders, who asked him to release Kanu and Igbo other youths in detention across the country. Kanu has been incarcerated since last year after he was bundled back to Nigeria from Kenya. He had previously jumped bail and left Nigeria.
They said they are in dialogue with dissident groups in the region with a view to bringing them to a round table discussion for the return of peace.
The president said he was worried over the worsening level of insecurity in the region, which now records regular attacks on military personnel almost on a daily basis. The president spoke against the background of the recent murder of an Army couple who were travelling to the region to complete their traditional marriage rites.
Reports said unidentified gunmen intercepted the couple and beheaded them. The Nigerian Army has vowed to arrest those responsible for the murder.
Buhari noted that a few individuals from the Southeast have brainwashed and incited many against the government, which some people say is a reference to Kanu and his IPOB members and the Eastern Security Network, ESN, the militant wing of the separatist group.
Fingers have been pointed at IPOB and the ESN in most of attacks going on in the Southeast, although the group always denies involvement in the acts.
