By Uchenna Odo
Reactions have trailed the United Nations’ order to Nigeria to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnadi Kanu, ‘with immediate effect’.
Kanu is facing charges over alleged running a proscribed organisation, jumping bail and treason. He was reditioned from Kenya to Nigeria last year in a manner that is facing litigations on alleged violation of his human rights.
His international lead counsel, Bruce Fein, had last Thursday announced the resolution of the UN on Kanu’s matter.
He tweeted, “I just received opinion by Working Group on Arbitrary Detention of UN Human Rights Council demanding immediate unconditional release of MNK and reparations for serial violations of internationally guaranteed rights by Nigerian and Kenyan governments. Stand by for full opinion.”
Adadainfo interacted with some Enugu residents on the order. Mr Samson Okafor said, “The victory is for all Igbos. They see us as people that cannot do anything, but God has answered us.
“What did Nnamdi Kanu do for such humiliation? Abducted from Kenya and charged over what doesn’t hold water because you control power!
“Shame has caught them. Upon all the pleadings from Chief Mbazuluike Amechi and Ohanaeze, still they rejected and kept him in detention.”
A civil servant, Moses Ede, said, “Anybody who is fighting Igbos is attracting the wrath of God. We are children of God.
“Nothing will happen to us. Buhari came and resurrected the ghost of Biafra through his political and economic sidelining against Igbos, and the people started revolting.
“So the United Nations has come in, and that is the way to go. He who makes peaceful change impossible will make violent change possible.”
A radio commentator, Austin Nweke, said, “Freedom must not be through violence. I always said that this struggle will be achieved by pen and paper, not by war.
“Some of us who are clamouring for war don’t have the capacity.”
Asked whether Nigeria will obey the order, he said, “They don’t have the option. UN is not a toothless bulldog.
“Nigeria is a member of the organization. Once you disobey them, what will follow is sanction. They intervened between Nigeria and Cameroun during the Bakasi saga. Nigeria obeyed them after court judgment.
“We thank God for Ejimakor, Professor Murray, and Bruce Fein.”
