Kanu’s re-appearance has vindicated government, says Lai Mohammed

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that the re-appearance of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has absolved the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration of blame concerning his whereabouts.

Kanu was last seen in September 2017 when military men invaded his residence in Afaraukwu in Abia State.

Following his disappearance, the Nigerian government was accused of kidnapping and even killing the IPOB leader.

However, the IPOB leader last week resurfaced in Jerusalem where he was seen praying.

Mohammed, while reacting to the development after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday, said the re-appearance of Kanu was a vindication of the Nigerian government.

He said: “I was in London when I heard the story about Nnamdi Kanu surfacing in Israel. I was not in a position to make any statement. But before I knew it, within a few hours, I saw my picture with a story saying that I had actually given Israel ultimatum to return Nnamdi Kanu, otherwise, we will send them missiles.

“I just laughed. It speaks to what we are talking about fake news because it is probably the biggest threat in the run-up to the elections. Having said that, I have nothing more to add to the issue of Nnamdi Kanu. At the appropriate time, the various authorities will make a statement about the issue of Kanu.

“But this has proven that all along when Kanu disappeared and the mob was asking the Nigerian army to account for the whereabouts of Kanu, I kept saying that Kanu knows where he is. He was not in the custody of the Federal Government. We have been vindicated today. Any other statement will be made in due course.”