“It Is a Mistake Keeping Nnamdi Kanu in Prison” – Wole Soyinka

Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka has criticized the Nigerian government’s continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). In an interview with Noble Nigeria, Soyinka emphasized that Kanu, who seeks the secession of Biafra, should not be imprisoned as he “was never accused of physically bombing any place or killing anyone.”

Kanu was forcibly brought back to Nigeria from Nairobi in June 2021 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, with the assistance of the Kenyan government. Since then, he has been held by the Department of State Services on charges related to broadcasts alleged to promote terrorism.

Soyinka strongly condemned the Nigerian government’s actions, labeling Kanu’s rendition as “kidnapping.” He stated, “It is a mistake keeping Nnamdi Kanu in prison. In fact, they kidnapped him. His language was inciteful, yes, no question about that. But you don’t arrest, you don’t kidnap people. Buhari had an obsession with kidnapping people. That seemed to be his trademark.”

He further argued that if the government had substantial charges against Kanu, they should proceed with a trial instead of prolonging the legal process with delays and technicalities, which he believes is counter-productive.