Nnamdi Kanu was re-arrested in Ethiopia – Reports

Nnamdi Kanu IPOB

Multiple reports have said the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu was re-arrested in an African country following years of being away from Nigeria.

Mr Kanu disappeared in 2017 after the military raided his hometown in Abia State. He resurfaced later in a photo showing he was in Jerusalem.

However, following his arrest on Sunday, June 27 and subsequent repatriation to Nigeria, many reports have suggested he was arrested in Africa, with the Federal Government silent about the location.

The Cable reported that Kanu was lured to a place in an African country with promise of cash donation in millions of dollars.

“He was not arrested in the UK or Brazil or Czech Republic. He was not crated either, contrary to speculations,” its source said.

The online newspaper said Kanu went himself to collect the money “because of the huge amount involved”.

It also said Kanu had been clashing with his lieutenants over financial matters. IPOB’s top hierarchy did not know Kanu’s whereabouts on the day he was arrested, the report further read.

But a security source quoted by ThisDay said Kanu’s “lifestyles consisted mostly of going out with different women, buying expensive pieces of jewelry, chartering aircraft, and drink.”

Archbishop of Enugu Province, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Most Rev Emmanuel Chukwuma had even said Kanu was captured by the Interpol with the help of a woman. 

THEWILL specifically reported that the IPOB leader was intercepted in Ethiopia and that he had been living there for a while.

ThisDay named Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, as the location.

The military had in recent months begun crackdown on IPOB on the invitation of Imo State Government, leading to the arrest of many and death of Ikonso, a top commander of IPOB’s security arm, the Eastern Security Network.

Kanu has now been remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services till July 26 when his trial resumes.