Nnamdi Kanu’s re-arrest, repatriation ‘one of the most classic operations of its type in the world’ – Nigerian Govt

*Says he was trailed for 2 years before his re-arrest

*Vows to go after his collaborators regardless of status

“’No one, no matter how highly placed, is bigger than the country’

*You have made us proud, Nigerians praise Buhari’s Govt

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

They said more efforts should be extended to the South West with a view to stopping insecurity elements, who hide under human rights and freedom of speech and of the press to destabilize the country through fake news.

The Nigeria’s Federal Government has spoken on how it came about re-capturing runaway leader of terrorist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

It said security and intelligence agencies were on the trail of the terrorist leader for over two years before he was re-arrested.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who disclosed this at a media briefing on Thursday in Abuja copy of which address was given to The DEFENDER by Officer of the Minister, said Kanu was living “a five-star life across several countries.”

The Minister said: “He was travelling on chartered private jets, living in luxury apartments and turning out in designing clothes and shoes.

“Of course, as we all saw, he was wearing an attire made by Fendi, a luxury Italian fashion brand, when he was arrested,’’ he said.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed said Kanu’s re-arrest and repatriation were made possible through the collaboration of Nigerian security and intelligence agencies.

He described the re-arrest and repatriation as “one of the most classic operations of its type in the world’’.

Alhaji Mohammed, however, did not comment on the speculations on how the re-arrest was pulled off and in which country the hitherto fugitive leader of the proscribed IPOB was nabbed.

“What we can tell you, once again, is that the re-arrest was made possible by the diligent efforts of our security and intelligence agencies, in collaboration with countries with which we have obligations.

“We will continue to respect and honour the obligations,’’ he said.

Mohammed disclosed that the forensic investigation carried out so far had revealed a treasure trove of information on the proscribed IPOB leader and his collaborators.

“While the investigation continues, we assure you that none of the collaborators, irrespective of their standing in the society, will be spared.

“They will all face the full wrath of the law for their activities that challenge our nation’s sovereignty and threaten its unity.

“No one, no matter how highly placed, is bigger than the country,’’ he said.

The minister also assured that Kanu would get a fair trial in measure with the offence he was being prosecuted over.

“It is interesting that many are suddenly calling for a fair trial for Kanu as if he didn’t get one before he decided to jump bail and flee.

“However, I can assure you that the fair deal that Kanu denied many of the victims of the violence which he willfully instigated through his broadcasts and tweets will not be denied him,’’ he said.

He commended the Nigerian security and intelligence agencies for their professionalism, diligence, patriotism and painstaking efforts as well as sister international agencies that collaborated to pull off the arrest.

Kanu, who is facing an 11-count charge of treason, treasonable felony, terrorism and illegal possession of firearms, among others, jumped bail in 2017 and left the country.

He was re-arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday and ordered to be remanded in the custody of the DSS, while the case was adjourned till July 26 and July 27.

Meanwhile, Nigerians, particularly those who have refused to wail against the administration, have praised President Muhammadu Buhari, the entire members of his government and the security agencies for a job well done.

They said more efforts should be extended to the South West with a view to stopping insecurity elements, who hide under human rights and freedom of speech and of the press to destabilize the country through fake news.