A manhunt took place yesterday for the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu , this is coming barely 24 hours after the group’s public condemnation by governors of the South-East forum. Nothing has been heard about Kanu since the proscription.
Some sources yesterday said he had gone underground.Kanu is on bail for
the alleged treason charges preferred against him.
The Nation learnt yesterday that his bail sureties might be asked by the security agencies to account for him.
Besides, security agencies are probing IPOB leader’s alleged foreign links.
Investigators are said to be analysing a video clip of Kanu and a Turkish citizen as part of the probe.
A source, while confirming the search for Kanu, said: “Troops have been given a firm order to fish out and arrest the IPOB leader. As a prelude to it, the Defence Headquarters on Friday declared IPOB as a terrorist organisation.
“Intelligence has, however, revealed that Kanu might have gone underground. As I speak with you, troops have actually searched his house and he was not found there.Troops have a mandate to arrest him wherever he might be.” Asked what if he is not found the source said: “ We might follow legal process by holding his sureties responsible. These sureties will have to produce him.” The Nation can also confirm that government insisted on non-withdrawal of soldiers from Abia State to avoid a situation whereby the IPOB will “take advantage and unleash mayhem” on innocent citizens.
Sources said the presidency overruled Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on the withdrawal of troops because the police alone could not cope with the “grave security” situation. “The governor wanted a political solution to a military matter. But the federal government cannot watch and allow the situation to degenerate,” one of the sources said.
