By Deborah Nnamdi
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has paid a visit to the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, at a prison facility in Sokoto State.
Otti was accompanied by Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu; the Abia State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna (SAN); and his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma. Officials of the Sokoto State Government were also present during the visit.
According to a statement from Otti’s media office, the governor encouraged Kanu to remain calm and resilient, assuring him that efforts to secure his release—initiated more than two years ago—had been intensified despite recent developments.
“Governor Otti, while discussing with Mazi Kanu during the visit, encouraged him to remain strong, assuring that the engagements he started over two years ago, which the IPOB leader has been aware of, have been intensified despite what happened,” the statement read.
Otti noted that he remained committed to resolving the issue through administrative and political channels.
The governor also informed Kanu that the Sultan of Sokoto supported the need to de-escalate tensions surrounding the case. He added that the Sultan jokingly remarked that Kanu had “become his subject” and would be turbaned—an exchange that reportedly made Kanu laugh.
“Governor Otti expressed joy that the Sultan of Sokoto is on the same page with him on the need for Kanu’s freedom and de-escalation of tension,” the statement added.
The visit comes two weeks after the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted Kanu on terrorism charges. Justice James Omotosho found him guilty on all seven counts brought by the Federal Government and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
The court also ordered that Kanu be denied access to mobile devices and broadcasting equipment except under strict security supervision.
Governor Otti has repeatedly maintained that Kanu’s case requires a political and administrative solution rather than prolonged confrontation. Kanu has been in detention since his arrest and extradition in 2021, drawing widespread national and international attention.
Otti’s latest visit is expected to reignite discussions about possible administrative pathways to resolving the long-running agitation and easing tensions in the South-East.
