The governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, has said that releasing Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is not connected to the security problems in the South-East.

Some leaders in the region believe Kanu’s release will help reduce insecurity. Kanu has been in custody under the Department of State Services (DSS) for about five years after being arrested in Kenya by the Nigerian government. Many people have called for his release.

Speaking during a media chat to mark his third year in office, Governor Soludo explained that he supports Kanu’s release so that the IPOB leader can participate in discussions about the future of the Igbo people.

However, the governor pointed out that while he continues to appeal for Kanu’s freedom, Simon Ekpa and his group have turned the situation into a period of violence, killing innocent people.

Simon Ekpa, who claims to have taken over IPOB leadership after Kanu’s arrest, was arrested in Finland last year for allegedly encouraging terrorism.

Soludo also said he does not understand Ekpa’s motives, other than using the situation to collect money from people.