Army, police looting Nnamdi Kanu’s family house – IPOB

Agency ReporterOctober 10, 2017

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The Indigenous People of Biafra, on Tuesday, said men of the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force have been looting Nnamdi Kanu’s family house at Afaraukwu, Umuahia, in Abia State.

IPOB, which made the allegation in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Emma Powerful, said the latest incident occurred on Sunday, October 8, when soldiers allegedly stormed the compound, which is equally the palace of Kanu’s father, Eze Israel Kanu, in 15 Toyota Hilux vans.

Powerful claimed that the soldiers carted away property belonging to Kanu and members of his family, including his wife’s jewellery.

The alleged looting was captured on CCTV cameras mounted in the palace, according to the IPOB spokesman.

Raising the alarm over the alleged development, Powerful said, “We, the Indigenous People of Biafra, worldwide, do hereby raise the alarm over the incessant raids on our leader’s compound in Afaraukwu Umuahia by the Nigerian government and her security operatives, especially the Nigerian army and police, who have been stealing and looting the palace of His Royal Majesty Eze Sir Israel Kanu for weeks now.

“The criminal activities of these thieves in uniform were captured on hidden CCTV cameras mounted in and around the compound.

“The murderous Nigerian soldiers arrived with 15 Hilux vans to our leader’s compound for the second time in a space of 24 hours and stayed for up to 5 hours inside the compound packing private properties belonging to our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, his wife’s clothing and jewelry and other items belonging to the rest of his family members.

“We are still wondering what the Nigerian army and police had in mind before embarking on yet another invasion and attack on our leader’s compound on Sunday, 8th October 2017.”

The group further alleged that the security agents returned to destroy the CCTV cameras, after realising that they were recorded while looting the palace.

“Those responsible for the vandalisation of Kanu’s home were initially not aware that they were recorded until the footage started appearing online.

“On realising they were captured on camera, they returned to the palace to destroy the CCTV cameras and loot yet more properties.

“It was at this point the Nigerian Army acknowledged for the first time that they have frequently conducted raids on the palace,” Powerful said.

IPOB also claimed that the soldiers planted bombs and other weapons in the Kanu residence in a bid to justify the proscription of the group as an armed, terrorist organisation.

Powerful urged the international community to prevail on the security agents to return items allegedly looted from the palace, and also produce Kanu, who he insisted was in the custody of the army.

IPOB accused the South-East Governors Forum and the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo of having a hand in Kanu’s travails.

The statement added, “We are calling on the community of civilised nations, human rights groups and other conscientious global organisations to prevail on the Nigerian government to account for the properties they stole from Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s family home and to openly tell the whole world what type of bombs and explosives they planted in his compound.

“They must also stop lying and produce our leader and all those arrested during the murderous raid of 14th September 2017.

“We must also point out to the world that those kidnapped during the murderous invasion of our leader’s compound that led to the death of 28 people on the 14th September 2017 are still unaccounted for, including Mazi Nnamdi Kanu himself.

“There is no doubt in our mind that our leader, alive or dead, is in the custody of the Nigerian Army with the knowledge of Igbo governors and Ohaneze Ndigbo.”