The Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth on Friday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to withdraw soldiers from the village of the leader of the defunct Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, as he buries his parents.
Addressing journalists in Abakaliki, through a release by the president-general of the group, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, he encouraged President Buhari to give Kanu presidential pardon to enable him to come home and bury his parents.
The statement read in part, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide is worried about the military presence at Kanu’s village, Afaraukwu Umuahia, Abia state, a few days to the burial of HRM Eze I. O. Kanu and his wife.
“We appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to consider the international damage it will do to the reputation and image of Nigeria, as the international community are watching to see if there will be any form of rights violations and abuses by Nigeria’s military before, during and after the burial rites of the Igbo paramount ruler and his wife by next weekend.
“OYC insists there’s no need for any provocative action promoting violence by Nigeria’s military before, during and after the burial of HRM Eze Kanu, because Abia state is calm and secure. Buhari should pull out the military and accord the last respect for the late King by granting permission and presidential pardon to Nnamdi Kanu to return and bury his parents according to Igbo tradition and culture.”