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Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Veterans of the United States of America military have waded into the continued detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by calling for his release without further delay.

The veterans made the call under the aegis of American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID), in a statement issued by its President, Dr. Sylvester Onyia, which was made available to journalists yesterday in Umuahia, Abia State.

The group, comprising military personnel of Igbo extraction either currently serving or “have served honourably in the United States Armed Forces, said that the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has a role to play in securing the freedom for the IPOB leader.

AVID with its corporate office at Jacksonville, Florida 32238, USA, alleged that it has information that Uzodinma was involved in “sinister, clandestine manoeuvres to keep Kanu in endless detention.”

It urged the Imo State governor, who is also the chairman of the South East Governors Forum (SEGF) to drop his alleged stance against the release of the detained IPOB leader.

It said: “We, therefore, request that Your Excellency returns the Igbo spirit of ‘Onye Aghana Nwanne Ya(be your brother’s keeper)’, and work toward peace in Igbo land.”

The group stated that whatever measures Uzodinma decides to use to achieve peace “is not material to us provided there is a return to peace and tranquility in Igbo Land.”

AVID expressed optimism that the Imo chief executive “would have a change of heart and work towards peace in Igbo land,” adding that “a stich in time saves nine.”

Justifying their belief that Uzodinma holds the key to peace in the Southeast, the army veterans said that they decided to write him an open letter to point out his many actions that have undermined peace in the Southeast.

“We have observed with alarming shock the level of disdain and inglorious actions you exhibit against the people of Igbo descents since you became the governor in 2019, hence our collective decision to write you this open letter,” the group said.

AVID also noted that: “The wave of wanton killings and loss of lives in Imo State is really astronomical,” and calls for concern, adding that “it is never too late to return peace to Imo State.”

It alleged that the henchmen of a Niger Delta militant, Asari Dokubo, were brought into Imo State under the guise of Ebubeagu security outfit to wreak havoc and “decimate Imo youths.”

The group said it could not fathom the reason Uzodinma allowed Asari Dokubo’s men to cause mayhem in Imo State, alleging that it was a mark of the state governor’s “unimaginable hostility and contempt” for his own people.

But the state government has, however, dismissed the allegations, saying they were products of ignorance and outside the reality on ground.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Imo State Governor, Mr. Obike Nwachukwu, while responding to the open letter of AVID, berated the veterans, saying that they “have long lost touch with the reality back home.

“The allegations are totally false, baseless, thoughtless and senseless,” he said, adding that “their view on both issues raised here is rubbish and lacks merit.”

Meanwhile, Igbo royal fathers based in Abuja have joined their voices in calling on President Bola Tinubu to release Kanu in the interest of justice and goodwill to Ndigbo.

The Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Dr. Ibe Nwosu(the Igbo I of Abuja), said that they were sending their “plea that resonates with the very essence of justice and human rights to the president.

“It is a plea for the release of a political prisoner, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has been unjustly detained for over three years,” he said, adding that his “only crime was to speak out against injustices and to advocate for the betterment of our society.”