World Igbo Congress Warns Of Dire Consequences If Nnamdi Kanu Dies In Detention.
The World Igbo Congress (WIC) has issued a stark warning to the Nigerian government, cautioning that the death of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in detention could trigger severe repercussions. Speaking on the public affairs programme *90MinutesAfrica* on Sunday, 24 August 2025, WIC Chairman Dr Festus Okere described Kanu’s prolonged incarceration as “the greatest slap that Ndigbo has received from the Nigerian government,” urging President Bola Tinubu to pursue a political solution to secure his release.
Kanu, a dual British-Nigerian citizen, was first arrested in 2015 and granted bail in 2017. Following his controversial extradition from Kenya in June 2021, he has been held by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja, facing charges of terrorism and treasonable felony. The WIC, an umbrella organisation for Igbos in the diaspora founded in 1994, condemned the detention as a violation of Kanu’s rights, noting that courts, including Nigeria’s Court of Appeal in October 2022, have ruled his rendition illegal. Okere stressed that the continued detention fuels unrest in the South-East and deepens divisions across Nigeria.
“I am not issuing a threat, but if Nnamdi Kanu dies in custody, only God knows what the consequences will be,” Okere said, highlighting the organisation’s repeated appeals to Tinubu for Kanu’s release, which have gone unheeded. He called for a political resolution, pointing out that other Nigerians from different ethnic groups have been freed under similar circumstances. “We urge President Tinubu to honour the rule of law and release Kanu, as courts both in Nigeria and internationally have declared his detention unlawful,” he added.
The WIC also drew parallels with historical Igbo leadership, with Vice Chairman Basil Onwukwe advocating a return to the principled governance of Dr Michael Okpara, the former premier of the defunct Eastern Region. Onwukwe described Okpara’s era as a “golden age” of discipline and development, urging the South-East to reject “bastardised leadership” and embrace leaders who prioritise regional progress. The congress’s stance reflects broader concerns among Igbo diaspora groups, with the American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) recently accusing the British government of complicity in Kanu’s detention, given his UK citizenship.
Kanu’s case has sparked widespread debate, with supporters viewing him as a champion of Igbo self-determination, while the Nigerian government labels him a national security threat. The WIC’s warning underscores the growing tension in the South-East, where Kanu’s detention has been linked to increased insecurity. As calls for his release intensify, the congress urged the government to heed judicial rulings and international human rights obligations to avert a potential crisis.
