‘Buhari Chose To Arrest Nnamdi Kanu Instead Of Assassination’ — Femi Adesina

Nnamdi Kanu

According to Femi Adesina, Buhari thought about killing Nnamdi Kanu but decided to put him under arrest instead

Spokesman for the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, claims that his principal had previously declared that he would have approved of the assassination of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), but instead chose to kidnap and bring him back to Nigeria so that he could face justice.

In his recently released book, “Reflections of a Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015-2023),” Mr. Adesina claims that Mr. Buhari chose to arrest Mr. Kanu rather than plan his murder abroad after an Igbo delegation led by Chief Mbazulike Ameachi met with the president in the villa to request Mr. Kanu's clemency.

“Let him make his case in court instead of giving a terrible impression of the country from outside. I feel it is a favour to give him (Mr Kanu) that opportunity. Government could have mobilised to eliminate him where he was, but we did not do that,” Mr Buhari told Mr Amaechi-led delegate.

Mr. Buhari went on to tell the delegate speaking for Mr. Kanu that although he would think about it, their request was difficult for him to approve.

“You have made an extremely difficult demand on me as the leader of this country. The implication of your request is very serious. In the last six years, nobody will say I have confronted the judiciary. We are developing a country, and we have to go through the pains,” Mr Buhari said.

Mr. Kanu was repatriated to Nigeria on July 1st, having vanished from the nation after a military raid on his residence.

See Also: Supreme Court Okays Nnamdi Kanu's Trial For Terrorism

The IPOB leader was “intercepted through the collaborative efforts of the Nigerian intelligence and security services,” according to the regime's hazy explanation, which omitted specifics about how Mr. Kanu was actually captured. However, the Kenyan government denied any role in Mr. Kanu's detention and subsequent return to Nigeria from their territory.

Attorney George Wajackoyah, who is defending the detained separatist leader, claimed that Mr. Kanu was kidnapped from Nairobi by the Buhari government.