BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
The Federal Government has been advised to expedite action on the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, who was extradited to the country recently, in a bid to avert violent reprisals by his loyalists.
Ejiofor Umegbuogu and Sunday Uche, public affairs analysts, gave the advice in Osogbo, Osun State, while reacting to Kanu’s extradition to Nigeria for trial.
The duo observed that leaving Kanu in the custody of the Department of State Services would, again, embolden him, thereby aggravating the agitations by his loyalists. They, therefore, called for the accelerated hearing of his case in order to ease tension.
In addition, Umegbuogu said the Federal Government must be fair and just to all regions by arresting other elements who were linked to killings and unrest across the country. He, for instance, suggessted that in the interest of justice, bandits, Fulani herdsmen, Miyetti Allah leader, Sheik Ahmad Gumi and others, should be made to face the law.
He said, “I see the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu as a repetition of the Umaru Dikko treatment. Moving forward, I would say sarcastically that the fate of Ken Saro Wiwa now awaits him. It is good for the Nigerian state to make a bold statement that the sovereignty of this country is indivisible and indissoluble; that one cannot take up arms against the state and be allowed to walk free in the society; that the law will catch up with people who engage in nefarious activities and violence against the state and their fellow human beings. Be that as it may, it should not be selective because lopsidedness is what is causing the current agitations.
“Let the arrest and prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu also be extended to the Fulani herdsmen, bandits and the leaders of Miyetti Allah”
“Since Nnamdi Kanu has been arrested, let the law take its course on him. I will want him to be given speedy trial and accelerated hearing so that government doesn’t repeat the same mistake made the first time by prolonging his trial. As you keep him in detention, the temperament of his loyalists will be high and there might be reprisals from them.”
The public affairs analyst added, “Let the arrest and prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu also be extended to the Fulani herdsmen, bandits and the leaders of Miyetti Allah. Let us also see Sheik Ahmad Gumi get arrested and prosecuted. These people are not actually just threatening the state, they carry arms against state.
“We all know the several threats of Miyetti Allah which are being carried out. Look at what is happening in Benue State. Governor Samuel Ortom has said several times that the killings are coming from Miyetti Allah. Why have they not been arrested just like Nnamdi Kanu was arrested? I want to see Gumi and leader of Miyetti Allah join him in prison. Gumi has been making inflammatory statements that embolden bandits and he should be arrested.”
