Sources from the Nigerian Army have claimed that the leader of The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu isn't in military custody.
According to the unnamed authoritative sources, from the army headquarters , Abuja, and the 82 Division headquarters, Enugu State, which coordinates Operation Python Dance II who spoke to the Punch, they claimed Mazi Nnamdi was not arrested or detained, as being speculated.
On Wednesday, the lawyers of the IPOB leader filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja praying for an order, directing the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, to produce Kanu in court.
The lawyers, led by Ifeanyi Ejiofor, had declared Kanu missing, saying the IPOB leader was last seen after the September 14 invasion of his residence in Afara-Ukwu area of Abia State by soldiers.
But an authoritative source from the army headquarters said, “ If you follow the trends of things, the army has not been talking about a proscribed group. If someone says he does not know where Kanu is , who gave him the authority to file a motion against the army?
“We don ’t want to be drawn into this propaganda. For goodness sake , if we have Kanu, of what use is it if we keep quiet? We have never been secretive.
"Nobody prompted us before we came out to talk about Egwu Eke II starting in the South-East . Nobody prompted us before we came out to say that despite all the pressures, we were not withdrawing the operation. The exercise is still ongoing.”
Also, the source from 82 Division headquarters, Enugu , who did not want his name in print , replied our correspondent ’s enquiry through a text message.
“Kanu is not with us. And I am not aware of his whereabouts,” it read.
But Kanu’s younger brother simply identified as Fine Boy , had on September 17 refused to tell SUNDAY PUNCH where his brother was , adding that only the IPOB leader could disclose his hiding place.
He said,"Only my brother can tell Nigerians where he is, I can’t . I don ’t know why the Army should call IPOB a terrorist organisation, it is out of their desperation to arrest Nnamdi and frustrate the Biafran struggle. We have petitioned the United Nations and the European Union.
“… Nnamdi will soon disclose his current location and IPOB will also react to the proscription of the group by the South-East Governors’ Forum.”
Soldiers allegedly invaded his house on September 14.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, could not be reached for comment as of press time.