Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has raised concern after reports claimed that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was secretly moved to Sokoto prison following his life sentence.
Kanu received the sentence on Thursday, and fresh claims suggested he was quietly transferred out of Abuja earlier today. Sowore reacted strongly on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
Sowore’s reaction to alleged secret transfer
In his post, Sowore alleged that the Federal Government moved Kanu to a prison in the northern region where “his safety cannot be guaranteed”. He insisted that this action was planned long before the judgment.
He said: “Yes, they have already planned it. Their intention is to move @MaziNnamdiKanu to a notorious prison based in the northern parts where his safety cannot be guaranteed. It is now confirmed that they secretly moved him to Sokoto prison earlier today.”
He added that officials refused to keep Kanu at the Kuje correctional centre in Abuja because, as he claimed they said, “Igbo people” and supporters would flood the centre, turning it into a “place of pilgrimage”.
Allegations of political motives
The activist also accused the government of creating false hope around Kanu’s situation to calm the public. According to him, the strategy is meant to “keep your hopes alive just long enough for him to die in custody”.
Sowore further criticised politicians from Kanu’s region, saying they fear his influence and prefer him silenced. He said this was why they allegedly worked against the #FreeNnamdiKanuNOW protest.
He said: “I have said it before without fear, MNK’s greatest enemies are the politicians from his own region. They fear his influence, they fear his connection to the people, and they want him silenced permanently. This is why they fought tooth and nail to frustrate our #FreeNnamdiKanuNOW protest.”
Sowore’s warning
Sowore ended his remarks by cautioning Nigerians, saying people should not ignore his warnings about Kanu’s treatment and the political interests surrounding the case.