In December 2015, the Nigerian Army raided his residence in Zaria and killed hundreds of his followers; since then, he has remained under state detention in the nation's capital pending his release, which was ordered by the court in late 2016.
Once again the Nigerian army has allegedly surrounded another house, this time it is that of Nnamdi Kanu the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The latest report is that the army invaded on Tuesday, September 12, in the early hours.
As the scary drama once again plays out, what are the likely consequences of this move? Based on history and the past experiences in Nigeria, below are some of them.
1. Arrest of Kanu and resulting crisis
In July 2009, the Nigerian military captured Mohammed Yusuf the leader of the Boko Haram sect at his parents-in-law's house. They transferred him to the custody of the Nigerian police force. The police summarily executed Yusuf in public view outside the police headquarters in Maiduguri.
What followed next is a tale of terrorism, bombing and bloodshed that has lasted 8 years and cost thousands of Nigerian lives.
If the Nigerian army toes the same line with Nnamdi Kanu, then another uprising might just be expected in Nigeria.
2. Arrest of Nnamdi Kanu and the quelling of the Biafra agitation
More than 350 IMN followers, led by firebrand cleric Ibrahim Zakzaky, were killed in clashes with the military in the northern town of Zaria in December 2015. Since Zakzaky's arrest, there have been disturbances, but largely the Shiites have been silent.
If the Nigerian army moves against Nnamdi Kanu and arrest him, then it is likely that the Biafra agitation will quieten down out of fear.
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3. Civil war
The Nigerian civil war in 1967 was a result of the agitation for Biafra and the decision of the Nigerian government to answer with military action. There have been fears that the country might be headed down the same path and the deploying of Nigerian military to the South East might be the spark that will ignite the fires of war.
4. International outrage
On November 24, 2016, Amnesty International, a watchdog on crimes against humanity published a report that Nigerian security forces, led by the military, embarked on a chilling campaign of extrajudicial executions and violence resulting in the deaths of at least 150 peaceful pro-Biafra protesters in the south east of the country.
Should there be a violent outcome as a result of this current siege by the Nigerian army, it will not be surprising to hear condemnations and calls for sanctions by the international community.
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NAIJ.com earlier reported that some members of the IPOB are currently heading to the home of their leader Nnamdi Kanu to confront soldiers of the Nigerian military.
This move by the IPOB members follows a recent siege laid by the troops of the Nigerian military in Afara Ukwu, the hometown of the IPOB leader.
Watch this NAIJ.com video as Nnamdi Kanu's lawyer reacts to the siege:
Source: Naij.com