The father of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Eze Israel Kanu, has died at the age of 86.
IPOB in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, confirmed the death of His Royal Majesty, Eze Israel Okwu Kanu, who is the traditional ruler of Afaraukwu community of Umuahia in Abia State.
IPOB did not disclose the date of his death, but the group attributed the cause of his death to health complications arising from the trauma of the invasion of his palace by Nigerian soldiers on September 14, 2017, and most recently the shock of the sudden death of his wife, Ugoeze Sally Nmeme Okwu Kanu.
IPOB’s statement read: “We the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to console the family our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the entire Kanu family and the community of Afaraukwu, over the passing of their father, uncle, brother and traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty Eze Sir Israel Okwu Kanu the Egwu Ukwu II of Afaraukwu.
“He joined his ancestors as a result of health complications arising from the trauma of the invasion of his palace by Nigerian soldiers on September 14, 2017, and most recently over the shock of the sudden death of his wife Ugoeze Sally Nmeme Okwu Kanu.
“We are left in no doubt the military attack on Isiama Afaraukwu and the Kanu family by the armed forces of the Federal Government of Nigeria is the principal cause of death of our leader’s parents. We confidently state, without fear of contradiction, that our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu have also sacrificed his parents in pursuit of freedom for the people of Biafra. There is no greater act of devotion to a noble cause than this.”
“Rather than weaken or diminish our resolve to restore Biafra, the passing of our leader’s parents will infuse us with a greater sense of determination because only by accomplishing the liberation of Biafra will we truly mourn them.
“We are asking Almighty God Chukwu Okike Abiama to grant the family, friends, lovers of freedom, Afaraukwu Eze-in-Council and entire community the fortitude to bear the great loss and vacuum the passing of His Majesty has created in our midst.”
KanyiDaily had reported that Nnamdi Kanu’s mother succumbed to her protracted illness and died on 30th August in Germany.