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This article requires pre-publication review by an uninvolved reviewer (one not substantially involved in writing the article). –Article last amended: Aug 26 at 12:46:59 UTC (history) |
| This article requires pre-publication review by an uninvolved reviewer (one not substantially involved in writing the article).
–Article last amended: Aug 26 at 12:46:59 UTC (history) |
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has renewed his appeal to the Nigerian Federal Government for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), stating that doing so would be “the right thing.”
The governor made the remarks on Monday, July 25, during a session at the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference held in Enugu. Responding to a participant’s comments, Mbah noted that his first official meeting with President Bola Tinubu after assuming office focused on Kanu’s detention.
“My first visit to the President was about Nnamdi Kanu. I believe the right thing to do is to release him. Hopefully, that will be done soon,” Mbah was quoted as saying.
Kanu has been in detention since July 2021, after being arrested in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria. He is currently facing terrorism-related charges in Abuja, which he has denied.
Governor Mbah also addressed the issue of the Monday sit-at-home order previously enforced by pro-Biafran groups in the southeast region, including Enugu. The sit-at-home, which disrupted economic activities, has reportedly ended in Enugu State, according to the governor.
“When we came in, people were forced to stay home every Monday. Today, Ogbete and other markets are open, people are trading in peace, and Monday sit-at-home has ended in Enugu. You can move around and see for yourself,” Mbah stated.
During the conference, Mbah outlined his administration’s broader agenda for economic and social development in Enugu. He reiterated plans to grow the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from US$4.4 billion to US$30 billion, with aims to eradicate poverty and develop the state into a hub for business and tourism.
He emphasized that security is a cornerstone of these goals. The state government, according to Mbah, has invested in a central Command and Control Centre that employs artificial intelligence-powered surveillance and an integrated emergency response system. He claimed that the initiative has resulted in an over 80 percent reduction in violent crime within the state.
