‘I’ll secure your release,’ Abia gov assures Kanu during prison visit

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has assured Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), that he is committed to resolving the IPOB leader’s legal issues with the Nigerian government and securing his release from prison.

Otti gave the assurance on Sunday during a visit to the Sokoto prison facility, where Kanu is serving a life sentence for terrorism.

The visit was disclosed in a statement by the governor’s media aide, Ferdinand Ekeoma.

During the meeting, Otti urged Kanu to remain calm and strong.

He informed him that the engagements he initiated over two years ago—efforts Kanu was already aware of—had been intensified despite the conviction.

The governor expressed optimism that the matter would be resolved administratively and that Kanu would eventually regain his freedom.

Otti also noted that the Sultan of Sokoto supports the need for Kanu’s release and for de-escalating tension in the Southeast.

He added that the Sultan jokingly remarked that Kanu is now “his subject” and that he planned to turban him, a comment that reportedly made Kanu laugh.

In his response, Kanu thanked the governor for the prompt visit, saying he was not surprised given Otti’s previous gestures.

He reiterated that his primary interest is good governance and the wellbeing of the people. Kanu commended the governor’s developmental strides in Abia, noting that he was impressed based on feedback from home.

Otti is the first governor to visit Kanu in Sokoto following the court’s verdict.

Barely 24 hours after Kanu’s sentencing, the governor had announced plans to work toward his release.

He was accompanied on the visit by the Abia State Attorney-General, Ikechukwu Uwanna SAN; media aide Ferdinand Ekeoma; officials of the Sokoto State Government, and Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel.

Kanu was convicted on 20 November by a Federal High Court in Abuja on seven terrorism-related counts and subsequently transferred to Sokoto to serve his sentence.

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