Followers of IPOB leader 'entered one chance', says Army

The Nigerian Army has said that the followers of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have been deceived by the propaganda campaign of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, said the leader of the separatist group has been using his position to manipulate members of the group in their agitation for an independent Biafran republic.

He also dismissed the group's allegation that Kanu is in the custody of the military, saying that his family know where he is hiding.

While speaking at a two-day media conference on the military's enhancement of human rights, Brig.-Gen. Usman said, "There was an allegation that somebody (Kanu) went into hiding. Now, I can't remember the day but in an interview on Channels TV, one of Nnamdi Kanu's younger brothers said that he was in hiding and he knew where he was.

"And one lawyer came up that he has taken the Chief of Army Staff to court. Now, who gave you the brief? You said you do not know where he (Kanu) is. Now, who gave you the brief? And the media is asking us where is Nnamdi Kanu?

"Why not ask the man that said so who gave him the brief to take people to court when he does not know where the man is?

"That is why those people following him have entered into a one-chance vehicle. This is somebody standing trial in a criminal case.

"Sometimes, whether we like it or not, we want to stand against the truth. But no matter how long, the truth will come to pass on October 17. This is an individual without a means of livelihood.

"I can speak eloquently. So what? If I can speak like him; I can also have my own group, that's exactly what is happening.

"So, what is the essence of our education as a people? You know that somebody is in a criminal case, and you believe in him."

Kanu has not been seen in public since September 14 when IPOB alleged that the Nigerian Army took him into custody, an allegation that has been strongly denied by the military and the presidency.

Former Abia state governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, has fueled other claims that the IPOB leader has fled the country saying he's been reliably informed that Kanu escaped to London through Malaysia.

ALSO READ: Nnamdi Kanu 'in hiding', not held by government - Lai Mohammed

On Wednesday, September 20, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted the Federal Government an interim injunction proscribing activities of IPOB.

Kanu, who is currently on bail on charges of treasonable felony, is expected to appear at the Federal High Court in Abuja on October 17 to resume trial.