January 28, (THEWILL) – Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately facilitate the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), describing him as a political detainee whose continued incarceration threatens justice and national reconciliation.
Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services since June 27, 2021, after being re-arrested in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria on June 19 of the same year.
In a communique issued after its general meeting held at the residence of its foremost national leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure, Ondo State, Afenifere argued that Kanu’s prolonged detention without trial contradicts the principles of justice and fairness.
The communique read, “From all circumstances, particularly since his abduction in 2021, repatriation to Nigeria, and the controversial legal proceedings that have followed, it is evident that Nnamdi Kanu is a political detainee.
“There is no justifiable reason to continue to keep him in detention without trial. His release is imperative in the interest of justice and national reconciliation.”
The group also urged the Federal Government to overhaul Nigeria’s security architecture and deploy modern technology to combat banditry and terrorism effectively.
“In view of the deteriorating security situation in the country, Afenifere advocates for an immediate reworking of the security framework.
“This includes fast-tracking the establishment of state police and deploying modern technology to address banditry and terrorism. Such measures will significantly reduce, if not eradicate, incidents of kidnapping and other forms of criminality ravaging the country,” the communique stated.
Afenifere further emphasised that Nigeria’s vast population and territorial expanse make a unitary police structure ineffective.
It reiterated its call for restructuring to institutionalize state policing, noting that state governments must be empowered to secure their jurisdictions.
“The ongoing security challenges demonstrate the urgent need for state police. A federation like Nigeria cannot be meaningfully secured with a single-command police structure,” the group stressed.
It also advocated for the Yoruba-speaking states to equip Amotekun, the regional security network, with lethal weapons as a preparatory step towards the establishment of state police.
Afenifere called on governments in Yoruba-speaking states to adopt the Yoruba language as the medium of instruction in elementary education, including kindergarten, primary, and junior secondary schools, and to conduct legislative business in the Yoruba language where possible.
In addition, the group urged state and local governments to provide resources and subsidies to support local farmers to boost food production and stimulate the economy.
On national governance, Afenifere tasked President Tinubu with expediting action on the realization of true federalism in Nigeria, leveraging his democratic credentials to address longstanding structural imbalances.
Meanwhile, Afenifere announced the appointment of rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, as its National Organising Secretary.
“The General Meeting considered and approved the appointment of Barrister Dele Farotimi as the National Organising Secretary of Afenifere,” the communique noted.
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