We trailed Kanu for two years, he was living five-star life – FG

• ‘We won’t spare his collaborators’

Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies were on the trail of leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, for two years, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has said.

He also said Kanu was living a five-star life across several countries before his arrest on Saturday.

The minister spoke on the issue on Thursday in Abuja during a press briefing in which he entertained no questions from journalists at the forum.

He said the FG would soon go after all those collaborators of the IPOB leader.

Mohammed said, “It will interest Nigerians to know that for over two years, our security and intelligence agencies were on the trail of the proscribed IPOB leader as he lived a five-star life across several countries, travelling on chartered private jets, living in luxury apartments and turning out in designers clothes and shoes.

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

He however did not name the country of his arrest but described the re-arrest and repatriation as “one of the most classic operations of its type in the world.

“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,” he said.

He said the forensic investigation carried out so far had revealed a lot information about the IPOB leader and his collaborators.

He added, “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 also spoke on how Kanu was arrested in collaboration with some countries and international agencies.

The minister merely described those countries and Intelligence agencies as those with which Nigeria shares obligations.

He said, “Finally, there have been speculations on how this 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.”

Mohammed explained that many security agencies worked to effect the arrest of Kanu.

He said, “As you are aware, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr Nnamdi Kanu, has been rearrested and repatriated to Nigeria to resume his trial.

“This was made possible through the collaboration of Nigerian security and intelligence agencies.

“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.

“On Tuesday, Kanu was re-arraigned in court and ordered to be remanded in the custody of the DSS, while the case was adjourned till July 26-27, 2021.”

The minister expressed the commendation of the FG to all the security agencies, the international support and assured all those seeking justice for Kanu that the suspect will get a fair trial.