Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has said he was pleased with the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, the separatist group leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB. In an interview with BBC Pidgin, the Northern leader, made clear his stance on the issue.
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| Nasir El-Rufai |
El-Rufai claimed he was happy when he heard of the arrest of the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.
He asserted that he was glad that Kanu was arrested because the separatist leader jumped bail and challenged the sovereignty of Nigeria. While speaking in an interview with BBC Pidgin, El-Rufai stated that Kanu has incited violence and caused unrest. To him, the arrest of Kanu would send a strong signal to all secessionists in the country.
When asked if terrorists and bandits should be captured in the same manner as Nnamdi Kanu, he replied, "No! No! No! No! People are comparing oranges to apples".
The governor said he believes that bandits and IPOB should be treated differently because the modus operandi of IPOB and bandits or terrorists differs greatly. To him, comparing IPOB to bandits is like comparing oranges to apples.
He insisted that bandits, unlike IPOB, have no central leadership and that there was no way the government would apply the same method in stopping bandits' activities. El-Rufai went on to challenge Nigerians to show him any central bandit leader who holds the same position as Kanu.
"I want to challenge anyone to tell me the central leader of bandits in the same position as Kanu," he said, suggesting that bandits operate for monetary gratification and should be tackled in such a manner.
According to a report by Sahara Reporters, Kanu has written to the British commission in Nigeria demanding his unconditional release and full protection. Aside from debunking the rumour that he was extradited from the UK, the British Government has remained silent on the issue.