A group of Jewish priests from the Unique Forum of Orthodox Judaism has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
This plea comes as concerns grow about Kanu’s deteriorating health, with his family urging the Nigerian government to allow him access to medical treatment outside the Department of State Services (DSS) detention facility in Abuja.
The IPOB leader has been held in solitary confinement since 2021 after his controversial rendition from Kenya.
In an open letter, the forum emphasized that Kanu’s release could help bring peace and stability, particularly in Nigeria’s South East, where tensions have escalated due to his prolonged detention.
The group’s leader, Rosh Nasishemtov Ihe Madunweiheyah, along with members, visited Kanu’s family at their ancestral home in Isiama Afaraukwu, where they stressed that Kanu’s imprisonment is unjust and called on President Tinubu to respond to the growing demands for his freedom.
During the visit, Madunweiheyah read from a letter co-signed with the forum’s chairman, Elder Okamulata Egbu.
The letter asserted that Kanu was only advocating for the rights of his people and posed no threat to warrant his continued imprisonment.
The forum further argued that Nigeria’s current troubles are tied to Kanu’s unjust treatment, stating that divine displeasure has fallen on the country as a result.
In their message to the President, the priests wrote: “We humbly appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his cabinet to see reasons to release our son and brother Nnamdi Kanu to go and worship the creator of heaven and earth for peace to reign in this great nation”, the letter read in part.”
The forum also conducted prayers at the burial site of Kanu’s late parents, HRM Eze Israel Kanu and Ugoeze Nnenna Kanu, further showing their support for the family.
