The President-General of the Igbo Community Association (ICA), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, has revealed that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is optimistic about securing his release from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) by April 2025.

Ellis-Ezenekwe, who visited Kanu at the DSS headquarters in Abuja, said that the IPO leader expressed disappointment over the lack of strong Igbo leadership, calling for renewed advocacy for the region’s interests.

The ICA leader stated that Kanu appeared healthy despite being in detention, had gained weight, and remained in high spirits.

He said Kanu reaffirmed his confidence in his legal team and hoped the courts would grant him freedom in the coming weeks.

According to him, the IPOB leader lamented the deteriorating conditions of the Igbo people in Nigeria, stressing that no prominent voices were actively defending their cause.

Ellis-Ezenekwe also conveyed Kanu’s concerns about the historical neglect of Igbo freedom fighters, citing the case of Ralph Uwazurike, who, according to him, had good intentions but suffered abandonment by his people during his imprisonment. He warned that such neglect could weaken the struggle for self-determination.

In a statement yesterday, Ellis-Ezenekwe appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in Kanu’s case. He reminded the President of his past role in the pro-democracy movement and called on him to demonstrate the political will to secure Kanu’s release.

According to him, the continued detention of the IPOB leader serves as a symbol of political repression rather than justice.

The statement reads: “Yesterday, at the DSS headquarters in Abuja, I had the honour of visiting Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), at 1:30 p.m. In a setting shaped by political tension and community aspirations, our meeting served as a vital reminder of our shared struggle for recognition, justice, and the advancement of Igbo interests.

“During our discussion, Kanu, appearing healthier and more relaxed, reaffirmed his resilience despite his current circumstances.

“He communicated a strong message of self-assurance, noting that he is taking his prescribed medications and remains in good spirits.

“More significantly, he expressed disappointment at the apparent leadership vacuum within the Igbo community—a neglect that has allowed our people’s voice to fade at a critical moment.”