A northern youth under the aegis of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, has revealed its next line of action if the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu is set free from detention.
AYCF has sent message of warning that it would request compensation for Northern people who were killed and whose properties were destroyed in the Southeastern region of the country if Kanu regains freedom.
The National President of AYCF, Yerima Shettima, revealed that the release of the IPOB leader would be a symbol of weakness.
Shettima told newsmen that the freedom of the IPOB leader could mean the government was afraid of the IPOB leader and that the security architecture was overpowered.
He added that the case of Kanu would be a lesson and a point of reference for crimes perpetrated in the future if set free.
Shettima said: “Release Nnamdi Kanu because the Nigerian Government is afraid of him? Release him because Nigerian security has been overwhelmed by these criminals going about killing people like Northerners who go to that region to conduct their legitimate business? No, it’s not done in any society; all they need to do is to buckle up and face the monster.
“The law must take its full course as they go around unleashing terror on innocent Nigerians, including their own people, the law must be allowed to take its full course. If nothing is found on Kanu, he should be released, but I know it won’t be easy because he has said it and has taken such responsibility. We can’t be blackmailed, we are not cowards, and Nigerians can’t be cowards by a few individuals.
“If the government or the court, in their magnanimity, decide to find safe ground, they should bear in mind that they will demand that the lives of Northerners killed in broad daylight by these criminals be compensated.
“We already have files and documentation of Northerners killed and properties destroyed because we will demand compensation from the government for the people we have lost, billions lost; the government must be ready to pay.
“The government should just be aware that we will definitely come out to demand compensation; we will now know that we are in Banana Republic, where there is no law and order. We will always use this Nnamdi Kanu’s case as a reference point for any crime committed in the future; the government should be ready to take responsibility.”
